Relaxed mood and hard graft as France start World Cup camp | OneFootball

France opened their World Cup preparations on Friday at Clairefontaine with light spirits and demanding fitness work in hot conditions, as Didier Deschamps began his final tournament in charge ahead of the 11 June to 19 July finals.

According to L'Équipe, the squad gathered at noon and first stepped onto the pitch at 17:20. Fifteen trained, with five Paris players and Arsenal defender William Saliba tied to the Champions League final, while Maxence Lacroix and Jean-Philippe Mateta are due on Saturday after Crystal Palace’s 1-0 Conference League win over Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.

The three goalkeepers headed out on bikes as the outfield group worked under the Yvelines sun, an early chance to rehearse measures for the expected American heat. Banter flowed, with Rayan Cherki teasing Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram icing his forehead and Kylian Mbappé the target of playful mimicry.

Deschamps joked about constant talk of farewells but underlined a fresh focus. He said he had spoken with players whose club seasons ended less pleasantly, including Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni, and maintained the national-team context is different and that they are ready.

He cautioned against looking ahead to 19 July, pairing ambition with humility and stressing the need to keep even lesser-used players engaged. Conditioning will dominate the weekend under fitness coach Cyril Moine.

Running drills intensified on Friday and smiles faded. Deschamps said he aims to savour around 10 days at Clairefontaine before flying to Boston on 10 June, calling the base the heart and home of French football and choosing to look forward rather than back.

Source: L'Équipe