Francia readies to start the World Cup

France kicks off its participation in the 2026 World Cup today against Senegal in New Jersey, in Group I. Didier Deschamps' team arrives as a contender, and all indications are that Kylian Mbappé will be a starter in his third World Cup.

Mbappé's presence

The Real Madrid forward is not only the captain and main offensive reference but also the great hope of the Blues. His presence in the starting eleven would be due to several factors: the specific weight he carries in the attack, his ability to create imbalance in tight matches, and the need to rely on his leadership in a debut that could set the course for the group.

Numbers and relevance

Mbappé arrives with 12 goals in 14 World Cup matches and is four away from Miroslav Klose's historical record, which gives him an extra incentive to start. Moreover, in the lead-up, he acknowledged that he needs to get more involved in defense and assured that he would trade any personal achievement to lift the World Cup again, a message that reinforces his collective commitment.

In Deschamps' last World Cup as coach, France could bet on his figure to consolidate the candidacy and seek the third star. By hierarchy, experience, and ambition, Mbappé would appear as an indispensable piece in the initial lineup against Senegal.

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