Tactical Dispute Emerges in French Camp Ahead of Senegal Match in World Cup 2026

Reports from French and Spanish media have revealed a tactical dispute within the French national team camp before the start of the 2026 World Cup, primarily concerning the deployment of forward duo Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé.

The French team is preparing to kick off its campaign in Group Nine, which includes Senegal, Iraq, and Norway, with a match against Senegal in the opening round.

According to Spanish newspaper “AS,” Dembélé’s recent performances with the national team have come under scrutiny despite his impressive form with Paris Saint-Germain. He struggled to replicate his club success during recent friendly matches against Ivory Coast and Northern Ireland.

The report indicates that one reason for Dembélé’s dip in performance is the difference in his tactical role with the national team compared to his club. At PSG, he enjoys greater freedom of movement, whereas France’s attacking strategies are heavily centered around Kylian Mbappé.

Additionally, French journalist Walid Acherchour revealed on Monte Carlo Radio that there are differing opinions between Mbappé and coach Didier Deschamps. The captain prefers to play on the left flank, a position that Deschamps is currently reluctant to utilize.

Acherchour noted that if Mbappé were to play on the left, it could allow Dembélé to occupy his preferred central attacking position while keeping Michael Olise on the right side, potentially providing France with additional attacking options.

Despite the ongoing debate surrounding this tactical issue, Deschamps remains committed to including Dembélé in his core plans as he continues to search for the most effective attacking combination ahead of France’s World Cup journey.