JAKARTA - Didier Deschamps confirmed that Kylian Mbappe is ready to play in the 2026 World Cup third-place match against England.
Mbappe has become one of the biggest stars at the 2026 World Cup. Although his team has been eliminated in the semifinals, he has the chance to add a Golden Boot to his collection, as well as a bronze medal.
The 27-year-old has the same number of goals as Lionel Messi, eight, but the Argentine great leads the race ahead of the final weekend after providing one more assist.
The goal scored in the third place match counts for the Golden Boot.
"Regardless of whether they play or not, I have an obligation as head coach to do everything I can to achieve tomorrow's goal."
"I hope we can do it and we have to put all our efforts into it," Deschamps said.
Deschamps further plans to make changes to his regular core lineup in his final match as France coach.
"It's just one game. I have some key players. Some players will probably play, others for personal reasons may not want to play."
"I don't want to divulge any discussions I've had with the players. I don't have all the elements, but, yes, I will replace some players," he said.
Deschamps faced several difficult questions about the defeat against Spain in the pre-match press conference of his last spell in charge which began in 2012.
"I know it's the last game and I don't want anyone to cry, and I don't think anyone here will cry."
"I've had the privilege to go through incredible moments and some more difficult moments. So, the end is near, but life goes on."
"I don't know what it will be like, but I am usually a positive person, and I know it will be great too. The French national team, with everything that comes with it in my professional life, is the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to me," said the coach who led Les Bleus to the World Cup in 1998 as a player.
Meanwhile, France defender Ibrahima Konate echoed England coach Thomas Tuchel's thinking that no one wants to play in the World Cup bronze medal match and admitted it won't be easy.
"Indeed, that is not the goal. How do we mobilize and motivate ourselves? Well, I believe that as French players, many players will be happy to compete and play this game."
"I'm not saying it's easy. Far from it. I've read in the media that Tuchel said that no one wants to play this game. Well, that's true given the goals and objectives we have."
"We want to play in the final, but we are still representing France and it is the dream of many people to wear the uniform, the jersey, and sing the Marseillaise (the French national anthem). Therefore, we need to respect the jersey we wear," said Konate.
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