Deschamps spares Mbappé ahead of France-Senegal by sending Kanté to press conference

Didier Deschamps chose not to expose Kylian Mbappé to a long journey on the eve of France’s opening match against Senegal on Tuesday evening at MetLife Stadium in New York, as part of the 2026 World Cup. It was N’Golo Kanté, vice-captain of the Blues, who accompanied the manager to the press conference in place of the French captain.

Mbappé’s absence is not a sign of being sidelined or a desire by the player to avoid the media. The Real Madrid forward has in fact multiplied interviews in recent days, notably granting interviews to M6, L’Équipe and Le Parisien. It was Deschamps himself who made the decision to exempt him from this obligation.

According to L’Équipe, with FIFA refusing the Blues the possibility of organizing this press briefing at Melanie Lane, the New York Red Bulls training center, Mbappé would have had to spend several hours in the car to reach the stadium. A journey deemed too demanding less than twenty-four hours before a crucial match.

This choice illustrates the importance Deschamps places on his captain for this opening fixture. By sparing him from the eve, the manager clearly signals that Mbappé will start and that he intends to approach him in the best possible physical condition.

The presence of Kanté at the press conference, however, raises a question: will the midfielder, back at the highest level after lengthy injuries, start on the bench against Senegal? The logic of this designation suggests yes.