Winners in 2018, runners-up in 2022, will 2026 be France’s year to once again rule the roost on soccer’s biggest stage?
With a new year, comes a new set of goals and for the world’s newly crowned best men’s soccer player, Ousmane Dembélé, another shot at World Cup glory is high on his agenda.
After lifting the trophy in Russia eight years ago, painful memories of an agonizing loss to Argentina in Qatar remain. The chance, though, for redemption on US soil this summer and a tilt at a third global title for Les Bleus is an opportunity he wants to grab with both hands.
“We know what it takes to go all the way and we’re going to try to do everything to bring the trophy home,” the forward exclusively told CNN Sports after winning the Best Men’s Player Award at the recent Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“We know we have a mission in the United States. We’ve been talking about this World Cup for a long time now and I think we’ll be ready for the occasion.”
The class of 2026 under France coach Didier Deschamps is a mix of energetic youth and experienced heads with Dembélé poised to be one of the leading figures alongside fellow striker Kylian Mbappé.
“There’ve been a huge number of changes,” he says. “We’ve got talented players who’ve adapted very well to the style and squad.
“The French team will always play a leading role in this kind of tournament, so you’ll have to count on us.”
However, the team’s opening match of the tournament – a June 16 clash against Senegal at MetLife Stadium – is what the forward has circled in his diary.
Born and raised in France to immigrants from Africa, his mother Fatima, with whom he shares a close bond, is Mauritanian-Senegalese while his father hails from Mali.
“I received a ton of messages after that,” he smiles, recalling December’s World Cup draw.
“People told me to score an own goal (against Senegal). Literally! There are several of us in this team who are Senegalese and French. It’s going to be a very beautiful match.”
