[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"football-site-config":3,"world-cup-status-en":27,"news-detail-lepaul-s-19-goals-why-he-could-be-france-s-world-cup":61,"news-related-lepaul-s-19-goals-why-he-could-be-france-s-world-cup-en":95,"news-related-match-lepaul-s-19-goals-why-he-could-be-france-s-world-cup-en":26},{"adSlots":4,"affiliateMode":5,"brandName":6,"contentStrategy":7,"currency":8,"friendLinks":9,"homepageLayoutKey":10,"leagueFocus":11,"locale":12,"planVisibility":13,"seoDescription":14,"seoTitleTemplate":15,"siteCode":10,"siteName":6,"siteType":10,"subscriptionMode":5,"timezone":16,"id":17,"tenantID":18,"primaryDomain":19,"countryCode":20,"logoUrl":21,"faviconUrl":21,"theme":22,"seoKeywords":24,"status":25,"ads":4,"focusLeagues":26,"affiliatePolicies":26},[],"shared","Football Prediction Platform","scores_predictions","USD",[],"main",[],"en-US",[],"Football fixtures, results, free predictions, subscriptions, and clearly labeled partner links.","{page} | Football Prediction Platform","America\u002FNew_York",323900000000000000,1,"football.easytestdev.online","US","",{"primaryColor":23},"#1677ff","football predictions, football fixtures, football results","active",null,{"active":28,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"leagueImagePath":31,"seasonId":32,"seasonName":33,"startingAt":34,"endingAt":35,"daysToStart":36,"daysToEnd":37,"phase":38,"includeQualifying":39,"hostCities":40},true,"326135624916537344","World Cup","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fleagues\u002F1.png","326255613308833792","2026\u002F2027","2026-06-11","2026-06-28",-37,-20,"finished_recent",false,[41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60],"Atlanta","Boston","Dallas","East Rutherford","Guadalajara","Houston","Kansas City","Los Angeles","Mexico City","Miami","Monterrey","New-York","New York New Jersey","Philadelphia","San-Francisco","San Francisco Bay Area","Seattle","Toronto","Vancouver","Zapopan",{"article":62},{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":63,"category":64,"excerpt":65,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":66,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":67,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":68,"slug":69,"sourceName":70,"sourceURL":71,"teamId":72,"teamName":73,"teamIds":74,"teamNames":84,"title":94},"The final chapter of Didier Deschamps' legendary tenure as France manager is about to be written, and it begins with a single sheet of paper. On Thursday evening, live on TF1, the coach will announce his squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. This list is more than a roster; it is the blueprint for France's quest for a historic third star, and the last major decision of Deschamps' era. While the core of the team seems settled, a compelling narrative has emerged from the heart of Ligue 1, challenging the expected script.\n\nThat narrative centers on one man: Estéban Lepaul. The striker has been nothing short of sensational this season, finishing as the top scorer in France's top flight with 19 goals. His prolific form extends beyond club football; he is also the leading French scorer across all competitions in 2026, with 10 goals to his name. This consistent, high-volume scoring has forced a national conversation. In a squad brimming with world-class attacking talent, could Lepaul's raw, undeniable output earn him the ultimate surprise: a seat on the plane to America?\n\nThe debate highlights a classic selection dilemma for any national team manager: form versus reputation. France's attacking options are the envy of the world, featuring established global superstars who ply their trade at Europe's elite clubs. Lepaul, while a proven goalscorer in Ligue 1, represents a different profile—a pure finisher whose case is built almost entirely on his remarkable statistics this campaign. For Deschamps, the question is whether Lepaul's specific skill set offers a unique weapon that the other forwards do not.\n\nHistorically, Deschamps has shown a willingness to reward exceptional domestic form, but he has also been fiercely loyal to the players who have served him through major tournaments. His squads are typically built on a foundation of experience and tactical familiarity. A late bolter like Lepaul would be a significant departure from this philosophy. It would signal a prioritization of current goal-scoring momentum over the established chemistry and big-game experience of his regulars.\n\nThe implications of such a decision would ripple through French football. For Ligue 1, it would be a powerful endorsement, proving that standout performances in the domestic league can still catapult a player onto the world's biggest stage, even in an era dominated by the Premier League and La Liga. For Lepaul's club, it would be a moment of immense pride and a validation of their player development. For the other forwards in the squad, it would be a stark reminder that no place is truly safe.\n\nFrom a tactical perspective, Lepaul offers a classic number nine presence—a penalty-box predator who thrives on service. This could provide Deschamps with a valuable alternative plan, particularly against deep-sitting defenses where breaking the deadlock requires a specialist finisher. His inclusion would add a different dimension to the French attack, complementing the pace and creativity of the wide forwards and the link-up play of other strikers.\n\nHowever, the risks are equally clear. Integrating a new player into the tightly-knit squad environment of a World Cup camp is a challenge. The pressure of the tournament is immense, and Deschamps must weigh whether Lepaul's confidence from a stellar season can translate to the high-stakes, low-margin environment of knockout football. The coach's final decision will reveal much about his strategic priorities for this final campaign.\n\nAs Thursday's announcement approaches, the football world waits. Will Deschamps stick with the trusted soldiers who have fought his battles before, or will he make a bold, data-driven selection that rewards the most in-form French striker of the season? Estéban Lepaul's 19 goals have earned him the right to be part of the conversation. Now, only one man holds the answer.\n\nBased on reporting from Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continu.","news","With 19 Ligue 1 goals, Estéban Lepaul is France's top scorer in 2026. Didier Deschamps reveals his final World Cup squad Thursday on TF1, sparking debate over","328245738188312577","0","2026-05-08T16:24:00Z","lepaul-s-19-goals-why-he-could-be-france-s-world-cup","L'Equipe","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FArticle\u002FMeilleur-buteur-de-ligue-1-esteban-lepaul-peut-il-vraiment-pretendre-a-une-place-a-la-coupe-du-monde-avec-les-bleus\u002F1673675#at_medium=RSS_feeds","326222711447621632","France",[72,75,76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83],"326222707169431552","326222712076767232","326222713016291328","326222767416414208","326255042854129664","326255043940454400","326257537865224192","326257695210344448","326222713142120448",[73,85,86,87,88,89,90,91,92,93],"Anderlecht","Germany","USA","Lesotho","FC Urartu","Banga","Estoril","Signal","Canada","Lepaul's 19 Goals: Why He Could Be France's World Cup",[96,121,149,178],{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":97,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":98,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":67,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":99,"slug":100,"sourceName":70,"sourceURL":101,"teamId":102,"teamName":103,"teamIds":104,"teamNames":112,"title":120},"Guéla Doué scored and assisted as Ivory Coast beat France 2-1 in a friendly, outshining his brother Désiré who featured for Les Bleus in the sibling showdown.","338200147588550657","2026-06-05T04:00:00Z","guela-doue-downs-brother-s-france-ivorian-2-1-win","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FArticle\u002FUn-but-et-une-passe-decisive-contre-la-france-la-soiree-de-reve-pour-guela-doue-avec-la-cote-d-ivoire\u002F1681944#at_medium=RSS_feeds","326222712533946368","Ivory Coast",[102,72,105,106,107,78,108,109,81,110,111,75],"326255037997125632","326257536145559552","326222711401484288","326257536078450688","326257536296554496","326257686389723136","326257535994564608",[103,73,113,114,115,88,116,117,91,118,119,85],"Strasbourg","Rennes","Belgium","Paris Saint Germain","Auxerre","Together","Nantes","Guéla Doué downs brother's France: Ivorian 2-1 win",{"awayTeamId":122,"awayTeamName":123,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":124,"homeTeamId":125,"homeTeamName":126,"id":127,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":128,"matchName":129,"publishedAt":130,"slug":131,"sourceName":132,"sourceURL":133,"teamId":125,"teamName":126,"teamIds":134,"teamNames":141,"title":148},"326222712622026752","South Africa","Shakira & Burna Boy sing 'Dai Dai' at 2026 World Cup opener June 11 in Mexico City, with J Balvin, Tyla. Buble, Morissette, Perry, Future lead other ceremonies.","326222711908995072","Mexico","338120887364489217","327115024327774208","Mexico vs South Africa","2026-06-04T22:48:54Z","shakira-burna-boy-to-open-2026-world-cup-in-mexico","BBC Sport","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fsport\u002Ffootball\u002Farticles\u002Fc8939ykg3qgo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss",[125,122,135,83,136,75,77,137,138,139,140],"326222712936599552","326257593007738880","326257563345620992","326257565195309056","326222711623782400","326257791226351616",[126,123,142,93,143,85,87,144,145,146,147],"Paraguay","Azteca","Heracles","Barcelona","Colombia","Nigeria","Shakira, Burna Boy to Open 2026 World Cup in Mexico",{"awayTeamId":150,"awayTeamName":151,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":152,"homeTeamId":72,"homeTeamName":73,"id":153,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":154,"matchName":155,"publishedAt":156,"slug":157,"sourceName":70,"sourceURL":158,"teamId":102,"teamName":103,"teamIds":159,"teamNames":168,"title":177},"326222711783165952","Senegal","France lose first friendly under Deschamps, 2-1 to Ivory Coast in Nantes, revealing defensive issues 10 days before World Cup start vs Senegal.","338126221931974657","327115052106649600","France vs Senegal","2026-06-04T22:34:17Z","bleus-lose-friendly-under-deschamps-2-1-to-ivory-coast","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FArticle\u002FUne-defaite-ni-vraiment-grave-ni-completement-anodine-pour-les-bleus-a-dix-jours-de-leur-entree-en-scene-au-mondial\u002F1681936#at_medium=RSS_feeds",[102,72,150,111,160,135,78,161,162,163,81,164,165,166,167,75],"326257810885054464","326255039846813696","326255041625198592","326257536413995008","326257541157752832","326257545754710016","326257554411753472","326257789708013568",[103,73,151,119,169,142,88,170,171,172,91,173,174,175,176,85],"York","FK Partizan","Partizani","Paris FC","Galatasaray","Newcastle","Newcastle Jets","China","Bleus Lose Friendly Under Deschamps: 2-1 to Ivory Coast",{"awayTeamId":179,"awayTeamName":180,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":181,"homeTeamId":72,"homeTeamName":73,"id":182,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":183,"matchName":184,"publishedAt":185,"slug":186,"sourceName":70,"sourceURL":187,"teamId":72,"teamName":73,"teamIds":188,"teamNames":196,"title":204},"326222712819159040","Iraq","Lucas Hernandez: France's 1-2 friendly loss to Ivory Coast is better now than June 16 World Cup opener vs Senegal, with Northern Ireland test next.","338124609578602497","327115069915664384","France vs Iraq","2026-06-04T22:32:57Z","hernandez-france-loss-better-now-than-june-16","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FActualites\u002FLucas-hernandez-apres-la-defaite-1-2-de-la-france-contre-la-cote-d-ivoire\u002F1681942#at_medium=RSS_feeds",[72,179,102,150,189,190,191,81,164,192,193,82,194,195],"326257664243798016","326257535885512704","326222712013852672","326257556060114944","326257565845426176","326257796423094272","326222712898850816",[73,180,103,151,197,198,199,91,173,200,201,92,202,203],"Northern Ireland","Lille","Iran","Estudiantes L.P.","Mallorca","Russia","Qatar","Hernandez: France Loss Better Now Than June 16"]