Deschamps shocked the French. “Erase the World Cup final from your mind.”

There is a precise distance France coach Didier Deschamps prefers to stand between the confidence of observers and the wariness of both summits and relegation, a distance that does not deny the Roosters’ strength but refuses to award them a title before it is played for.

In a press conference on Friday, just 18 days before the Roosters’ first appearance at the 2026 World Cup, the French coach decided to end the wave of nominations early.

Deschamps said in a decisive tone. “The World Cup, as always, is a great event, but the thought that people are already taking us to the final on July 19 does not comfort me at all.”

The coach, who won the title as a player in 1998 and as a coach in 2018, added: “Today, the only thing that is certain is our three rivals in the group stage, nothing else.”

Deschamps, who is leading France’s golden generation to a historic attempt to reach a third consecutive final, did not deny his team’s position, but rearranged priorities.

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He explained. “Yes, France is one of the best. This is a fact, but I know very well that before we can think about the summit, there are necessary steps that we need to take one after another.”

The French team will start their campaign in the tournament on June 16 with a strong confrontation against Senegal, then they will face Iraq on the 22nd of the same month, before finishing the group stage with Norway on the 26th.

Deschamps described qualifying for the last 16 as only “the second step” on a long journey, refusing to be drawn into an early finals scenario.

Deschamps concluded his speech with a clear message to his players and fans. “There is no more beautiful and stronger world championship in professional football. We’ll do our best to be there on July 19, but we won’t start from the end.”