France’s Didier Deschamps praises his squad’s performance, highlighting the contributions of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Hugo Ekitike as the team prepares for the 2026 World Cup.

France’s win over Azerbaijan was a show of the team’s depth, with the rest of the squad showing they can step up when called upon. 

Deschamps was pleased with his team’s performance, especially considering they played a second-string side. “We average a little over two goals per match, which is very good,” he said. The manager’s confidence in his squad is growing, and he’s excited about the options available to him.

Mateta’s goal was a great start to his international career, and Ekitike’s performance was also impressive.

France has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, but they’re looking to build momentum and make a statement. Deschamps is pleased with the progress his team has made and is excited about the future.

The win over Azerbaijan was a great opportunity for Deschamps to test his squad, and they responded well. With players like Mateta and Ekitike stepping up, France is looking stronger than ever.

Although the 2026 World Cup is still a way off, France is gearing up to make a deep run, and with a talented squad, you can also consider them as favourites to win the tournament.