France coach Didier Deschamps excited by Kylian Mbappe-Erling Haaland clash at World Cup

Washington – France coach Didier Deschamps is looking forward to a showdown between Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, after his side were drawn on Dec 5 in the same group as Norway at the 2026 World Cup.

“It will be a great duel,” he said in Washington, where the two nations came out alongside Senegal in a tough-looking Group I.

“Both teams have lots of other big names, but of course Kylian and Haaland are two players recognised around the world and they will be two of the contenders to be the top scorer.”

Mbappe has scored 30 goals in 24 games for Real Madrid and France this season, while Haaland has netted 33 in 24 appearances for Manchester City and Norway.

Haaland’s goals, in particular, helped Norway top their qualifying group ahead of Italy as they secured a first appearance at the World Cup Finals since 1998.

France, meanwhile, will be looking to win a third World Cup to make up for

losing the 2022 final on penalties to Argentina in Qatar.

Group I will be completed by the winner of one of the intercontinental play-offs in March, from either Iraq, Bolivia or Suriname.

A meeting with Senegal brings back memories of 2002, when France went to the tournament in Japan and South Korea as holders. They lost to Senegal in their opening match and ended up being eliminated in the group stage.

“Every World Cup has its own story and we need to make sure this one is as beautiful as possible,” added Deschamps, who will step down after the tournament to bring an end to a 14-year reign.

“Of course, as France we have a status and there is a lot of expectation around us, but we need to show respect and humility from the beginning.

“Before thinking about what is at the top of the mountain, we will need to work our way up gradually and the first steps are difficult.”

Also strong contenders are England, whose manager Thomas Tuchel said the Three Lions are confident but must show Croatia, Ghana and Panama the respect they deserve in Group L.

After reaching the Euro final twice and World Cup semi-finals once under Gareth Southgate, England head to North America as one of the favourites as they aim to end a 60-year wait for a major trophy.

“Difficult opener with Croatia (who beat England in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and also reached the last four at the 2022 World Cup) and Ghana, two regulars in World Cups,” Tuchel told the BBC.

“Panama I don’t know much about at the moment but we will find out more about before the tournament starts.

“For me, I only experienced group football in Champions League formats and the way to approach it was to give it the biggest respect and put all the focus into winning the group.”

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, meanwhile, said the world champions will stick to the same winning formula that delivered glory in 2022.

The Albiceleste were drawn with Algeria, Austria and Jordan in a Group J that fans in Buenos Aires described as favourable – though Scaloni warned that there would be no easy games.

“We are going to give the maximum and try to do what we did in the last World Cup, which is to give everything we can, not to give a ball up for lost,” he said. 

Reigning European champions Spain will kick off their campaign against first-time qualifiers Cape Verde, before also taking on Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Group H.

“We want to do something big at this World Cup and that means making sure we do well in the group stage, then carrying on from there,” said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente. AFP, REUTERS

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