Maxence Lacroix ‘dreams’ about playing at the 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

His first selection for the French national team has barely sunk in, yet Maxence Lacroix (25) is already looking ahead to his future with Les Bleus. With, of course, the World Cup firmly in his sights.

“The World Cup in the United States – of course it’s a dream,” he admitted in an interview with RMC Sport. “I played my first match on Thursday, in front of an American crowd and in this kind of stadium. It really is a great atmosphere.”

Although he started on the bench for Thursday’s match between France and Brazil (1-2), the Crystal Palace defender nevertheless had the opportunity to make his debut for the reigning World Cup runners-up, coming on as a substitute for Ousmane Dembélé (28) just before the hour mark.

“These are really the competitions we want to play in. I even think the World Cup might be the most watched and most followed competition in sport. I want to be part of that sort of competition,” said the Villeneuve-Saint-Georges-native

Called up by Didier Deschamps as a replacement for William Saliba (25), who injured his left ankle on the eve of the squad’s gathering, Lacroix – a mainstay in Oliver Glasner’s Eagles side (43 appearances, 42 of them as a starter this season) – now hopes to extend his international adventure.

To do so, the Londoner will first have to convince Deschamps, who will announce his squad for the trip to the United States on 13th May. He is likely to be given another chance to do so soon, as he is expected to start the match against Colombia this Sunday. The time has come for Lacroix to take his destiny into his own hands. Or rather, into his own feet.

GFFN | Léo Aschi