NEW YORK: France begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Senegal on Tuesday night (10 p.m., KSA) at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Didier Deschamps’ side once again among the favorites to challenge for football’s biggest prize.
Ahead of the Group I opener, former France midfielder Paul Pogba spoke exclusively to Arab News during an appearance at Adidas’ Home of Soccer fan experience in New York, sharing his thoughts on what separates World Cup champions from the rest and why he believes Les Bleus have the qualities to go deep into the tournament.
Pogba was speaking at Brooklyn Bridge Park, a 25,000-square-foot fan hub that has become one of the focal points of World Cup celebrations in New York. The activation has welcomed thousands of supporters and featured appearances from football legends including Zinedine Zidane, Kaka, Ian Wright and Pogba.
For the man who helped France win the World Cup in 2018, success at football’s biggest tournament starts long before the knockout rounds. Asked what separates World Cup winners from the rest, Pogba pointed to the importance of a strong group stage and togetherness within the squad.
“First of all, (you need) a good group stage,” he told Arab News. “You can be lucky when you pick teams, but I would say team spirit matters the most.”
The former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder was one of the leaders of the French side that lifted the trophy in Russia eight years ago. Looking back on that triumph, Pogba said the lessons remain relevant for every team chasing glory this summer.
“Always stay focused and any player can make the difference,” he said.
France’s opening match against Senegal carries a layer of history. The two nations famously met in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup, when Senegal stunned the defending champions 1-0 in one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history.
This year’s French squad arrives in the US with considerable expectations once again, boasting a roster packed with established stars and emerging talent.
While much of the attention has focused on France’s attacking options, Pogba believes the team’s strengths extend well beyond the forward line.
“France always had good players in the team, but now this team has even more qualities up front,” he said.
“We're talking so much about the team up front, but they will be good defensively too. They will show that they are good defensively as well.”
France will be hoping for the best from captain Kylian Mbappe, who burst onto the global stage during the 2018 World Cup and has since become one of the most recognizable figures in football.
Pogba believes the Real Madrid forward is now ready to take on even greater responsibility within the national team setup.
“I think he’s going to be one of the leaders,” Pogba said.
“Now, with the experience he’s had, he’s one of the oldest in the team. He will lead them on the pitch and off the pitch.”
Asked whether Mbappe can lead France to another World Cup title, Pogba pointed to the collective qualities that have defined successful teams throughout the tournament’s history.
“That (spirit) will make the team go all the way through,” he said.
France’s group also includes Iraq, whose qualification marked the country’s first World Cup appearance in 40 years. Pogba welcomed the growing presence of teams from the Middle East on football’s biggest stage and said it reflected the increasingly global nature of the game.
“It’s always good to see teams from the Middle East show that they can compete,” he said.
“Football is changing and a lot of talented players come from everywhere. The level is up also.”
As France prepare to begin another World Cup journey, Pogba’s message is a reminder that even in an era dominated by superstar talent, success is rarely determined by individuals alone.
For a player who has experienced the highs of lifting football’s most coveted trophy, the foundations remain simple: Stay focused, trust the group and be ready when the moment arrives.
