… For me, it is a clear penalty. “For me, it is very, very clear, and I am extremely surprised he did not point to the spot after a correct VAR review.” France boss Didier Deschamps, speaking after the game, said his side should have been awarded a penalty. …
… Olise was moved from the right wing to a more central position in the second half and unlocked the Senegal assist by providing the assist for Mbappe’s opener in a 3-1 win for Didier Deschamps’ side. …
… It ultimately mattered little, though, as France – and Mbappe – responded in style to secure all three points. “People will still criticise him,” said Deschamps. …
France head coach Didier Deschamps insists they will show Senegal the proper respect in their 2026 World Cup opener at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey today. …
… On Monday, journalists held up scarves saying ‘Free Gleizes’ before France boss Didier Deschamps’ news conference at the New Jersey New York Stadium to preview Tuesday’s game with Senegal (20:00 BST). …
… Dembele also paid tribute to coach Didier Deschamps, who announced last year that he will step down after the World Cup following more than a decade in charge of the national side. …
France coach Didier Deschamps challenged forward Michael Olise to make his mark at the World Cup after he hit a hat-trick in a 3-1 World Cup warm-up win over Northern Ireland in Lille on Monday. …
France coach Didier Deschamps challenged forward Michael Olise to make his mark at the World Cup after he hit a hat-trick in a 3-1 World Cup warm-up win over Northern Ireland in Lille on Monday. …
Referee Alireza Faghani declined to award a penalty when Kylian Mbappe went down in the box during France's match against Senegal at the World Cup, ruling that Mbappe had initiated contact. The decision drew criticism from former elite referees and broadcasters, with Darren Cann reporting that several world-class referees contacted him unable to understand the non-call. France ultimately won 3-1 with Mbappe scoring twice.
Referee Alireza Faghani declined to award a penalty when Kylian Mbappe went down in the box during France's match against Senegal at the World Cup, ruling that Mbappe had initiated contact. The decision drew criticism from former elite referees and broadcasters, with Darren Cann reporting that several world-class referees contacted him unable to understand the non-call. France ultimately won 3-1 with Mbappe scoring twice.
Michael Olise scored 8.01 out of 10 in player ratings for France's 3-1 World Cup opener against Senegal, where he provided the assist for Kylian Mbappe's opening goal after being moved to a more central position in the second half.
Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France beat Senegal 3–1 in their World Cup opener, with his second goal lifting him to 58 goals for Les Bleus, surpassing Olivier Giroud's former record.
France head coach Didier Deschamps says his side will show proper respect to Senegal in their opening 2026 World Cup match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, seeking to avenge a 1-0 defeat to the Lions of Teranga in 2002 when France were defending champions. Deschamps, who won the World Cup as both player (1998) and manager (2018), will step down after the tournament.
French journalists' unions and Fifa have arranged empty seats at World Cup press facilities to protest the imprisonment of French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, who was jailed in Algeria in 2025 for seven years on terrorism-related charges linked to his coverage of African football.
France forward Ousmane Dembele has defended national team captain Kylian Mbappe, saying criticism of the Real Madrid striker has gone "too far" and that he remains an incredible player and good person off the pitch.
Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise scored three goals in France's 3-1 World Cup warm-up win over Northern Ireland, prompting coach Didier Deschamps to praise his form and confidence ahead of the tournament.
France coach Didier Deschamps praised Bayern Munich's Michael Olise after he scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 World Cup warm-up victory over Northern Ireland, backing him to make an impact at the tournament. William Saliba returned from injury as France prepare for their World Cup opener against Senegal on June 16.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill praised outgoing French boss Didier Deschamps as a "fantastic national team manager" after France beat Northern Ireland 3-1 in a World Cup warm-up match. O'Neill highlighted Deschamps' success managing a star-studded squad and his humility despite leading a major football nation.
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has opened up about battling depression after the deaths of teammate Diogo Jota and his own father during his final season at Anfield. Konate stressed that depression affects people regardless of wealth and said Jota's death, who was his neighbour, devastated him.
Real Madrid's manager Alvaro Arbeloa faces pressure after poor results, sitting closer to third-place than league leaders Barcelona with a 64% win percentage in La Liga. Jose Mourinho, currently managing Benfica, is being mentioned as a potential replacement, having previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013 and winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.