Quiet against Northern Ireland, Dembélé reassures ahead of 2026 World Cup

France wrapped up their 2026 World Cup preparation with a 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland on Monday evening in Lille, but Ousmane Dembélé had a forgettable outing, collecting L’Équipe’s worst French rating: 4/10.

Deployed as number 10 behind Kylian Mbappé in a lineup close to the one expected against Senegal on June 16, the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner fell well short of the form he has shown with Paris Saint-Germain. Four days earlier, the Blues had already been caught out by Côte d’Ivoire (1-2), raising some doubts as the tournament approaches.

Didier Deschamps sought to put his winger’s display into perspective. « Ous’ arrived late but I can’t hold it against the players to be managing things with what we have ahead. Ousmane needs to recover physically and psychologically after what he’s done with PSG. It was a training gallop today, » the manager said.

Dembélé himself struck a calm tone. « We had two matches to prepare well for the competition and get back into rhythm. We handled this second match very well, we’re regaining sensations and we’ll arrive ready in the United States. I think that’s what matters most, » he said.

Asked about his positioning in the middle, the PSG player described an attacking setup built on mobility and interchangeability. « We move a lot, we shift positions a lot with the three forwards. We’ve been trying to understand each other well since March, when we play like this. With Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappé and Désiré Doué, we change a lot. It doesn’t matter much, you mainly have to hold a position and know how to play it, whether it’s on the right, left or in the middle. But I feel good and that’s what matters most. »

France will begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against Senegal on June 16.