France head coach Didier Deschamps has firmly defended his decision to deploy Kylian Mbappé as a central striker, pushing back against criticism as preparations continue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The French national team are widely regarded as one of the leading contenders for the tournament, alongside sides such as Spain national football team and Argentina national football team. Mbappé, who captains France national football team, is aiming to lead his country to a third World Cup title following triumphs in 1998 and 2018.
With France boasting a range of attacking options, debate has intensified over Mbappé’s optimal position. However, Deschamps insisted that using the forward as a central attacker is neither experimental nor unusual.
Responding to criticism, the France coach adopted a sarcastic tone when addressing the scrutiny over his tactical choice.
“I must be stupid if I put Mbappe in the center forward position, and there must be many stupid coaches who supervised him and put him in this position during his career.”
He went on to stress that Mbappé has been regularly deployed in advanced central roles over recent seasons, both at club and international level.
“He has played in this position for the last two years with Real Madrid, and in his last season with Paris Saint-Germain (France). In fact, he has been occupying the attacking line for about 3 years.”
The comments were intended to underline that Mbappé’s current role is consistent with his recent evolution as a forward, rather than a sudden tactical adjustment ahead of the tournament.
Beyond questions of positioning, Deschamps also highlighted Mbappé’s growing influence as a leader within the national team setup.
He praised the forward’s maturity and development, suggesting that his leadership style has evolved significantly since his early days with the squad.
“Kylian, who has become our leader today, used to listen, observe, and learn. He doesn’t behave in the same way as Hugo Lloris did; each of them has his own personality and style.”
Deschamps also emphasised the responsibility that comes with Mbappé’s captaincy, both on and off the pitch, noting that his words now carry weight across the entire squad.
“He takes responsibility for leadership both on and off the field, and he understands that when he speaks, he is not only representing himself, but all the players on the national team.”
France enter the build-up to the 2026 World Cup with high expectations, driven by a squad widely considered among the strongest in international football. Much of that attention continues to centre on Mbappé, who remains the focal point of France’s attacking ambitions.
Deschamps’ comments appear aimed at shutting down debate over both the player’s position and his importance to the team, reinforcing the idea that France’s tactical structure is built around maximising Mbappé’s strengths as a central attacking force.
With pressure mounting ahead of the tournament, France’s preparations are now focused on maintaining stability within the squad and ensuring their captain remains at the heart of their push for another world title.
