With five days remaining before France’s opening match against Senegal at the 2026 World Cup, Didier Deschamps has yet to fully settle on his starting eleven. While the backbone of the team appears to be in place, several questions remain unanswered.
Deschamps faces a selection headache ahead of the Senegal clash. Just a few days ago, the France manager claimed he already knew his lineup for the opening World Cup fixture. However, the long club season and players’ current form have created fresh uncertainties.
Key Selection Questions Before Senegal
One concern involves the physical condition of Adrien Rabiot and William Saliba. Although both players arrived in Boston with the rest of the squad, they did not take part in Thursday’s collective training session and instead followed an individual program with fitness coach Cyril Moine.
According to L’Équipe, there is no internal concern regarding either player. The pair are simply following a tailored program to help them adapt to the American climate and are expected to be available for France’s first World Cup match.
The main remaining doubt concerns the left-wing position. Two Paris Saint-Germain players are competing for the spot: Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué. Long considered the favorite, Doué has seen his advantage shrink after an underwhelming display against Northern Ireland. Barcola, meanwhile, has impressed with his energy, direct style, and experience from Euro 2024, giving Deschamps a difficult decision to make before the showdown with Senegal.
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