On the eve of France’s opening match in the 2026 World Cup, N’Golo Kanté faced the press to discuss the highly anticipated clash against Senegal.
The Blues midfielder was asked about the memory of the 2002 World Cup, when the Lions of Teranga pulled off a stunning upset by beating France in the opening match. For the former Chelsea player, that game is part of history, even if it still lingers in people’s minds.
“We saw what happened in 2002. We want a victory today, not for revenge, but to start the competition well and go as far as possible,” said the 2018 World Cup champion. This emphasizes that the main goal for the Blues is to make a strong entrance into the tournament and ideally kick off their World Cup campaign against a Senegalese team known for its solidity and experience in major competitions.
Expected to start the match on the bench, Kanté represented France in front of the media instead of his captain Kylian Mbappé. The Real Madrid forward was excused from the press conference to avoid a hectic day before this crucial encounter. Coach Didier Deschamps explained this decision due to logistical and physical considerations, as the travel between the Blues’ hotel, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, and the New York Red Bulls training center takes several hours.
“This morning, I saw three players, explained Didier Deschamps. We will have two one-hour trips. I want to protect N’Golo (Kanté), but I know he wakes up very early. With the high temperatures, I make sure to protect my players. That’s my main goal.” The French coach stressed the importance of keeping his squad safe in particularly demanding weather conditions since the start of the tournament.
The heat is one of the major talking points of this World Cup hosted in North America.
The high temperatures observed in recent days have forced various teams to adapt their preparations. N’Golo Kanté acknowledged that this aspect has played a significant role in the work done by the Blues before their first match.
“The high heat has been a factor in our preparation. We saw how exhausted we are after training in the heat and sun. We need to make the most of the cooling breaks. Everyone is involved. The players on the bench will matter. We are ready to start.” For the French midfielder, physical management and contributions from the entire squad could be crucial in the competition.
N’Golo Kanté 🇫🇷 :
«I have Malian roots, but I represent France 🇫🇷 For a long time. The goal is to win against Senegal. 🇸🇳 We saw what happened in 2002. We want a victory today, not for revenge, but to start the competition well… pic.twitter.com/0B1RslKt9t
— 13football_com (@13footballC) June 15, 2026
At 35, Kanté is now the elder statesman of the French squad. Eight years after the World Cup triumph in Russia, he is set to embark on another adventure with the Blues. Despite his accumulated experience, his enthusiasm remains intact ahead of this new challenge.
“This is my second World Cup. In 2018, it was new, it was beautiful to win. For this one, it’s different, with new players, but it’s still just as beautiful. And I want to enjoy it and win again,” concluded the Fenerbahçe player. A message that reflects France’s ambition ahead of this highly anticipated duel against Senegal, in a match that is already shaping up to be one of the major fixtures of the group stage.
