The French national team's World Cup preparations took a significant step forward with the confirmation that the six players who featured in the Champions League final will arrive at Clairefontaine on Tuesday morning. Their integration completes the squad just hours before a high-profile visit from President Emmanuel Macron, signaling the final phase of pre-tournament work.
The group consists of Paris Saint-Germain's quintet of Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, Lucas Hernandez, and Warren Zaïre-Emery, all of whom lifted the European Cup after a hard-fought victory. The sixth is Arsenal defender William Saliba, who experienced defeat in the showpiece but now turns his attention to national duty. Their late arrival has been eagerly anticipated, as the coaching staff was keen to have the full complement of players available for the final tactical and physical fine-tuning.
With these six additions, the 26-man squad is now fully assembled for the first time since the start of the training camp. The timing is critical, as President Macron is scheduled to meet the team at the château around midday on Tuesday. The visit underscores the nation's expectations and the symbolic weight attached to the World Cup campaign, with the head of state personally extending his support before the squad departs for the tournament.
Prior to their arrival, the camp had been gradually ramping up its workload under the guidance of fitness coach Cyril Moine. On Sunday, newcomers Jean-Philippe Mateta and Maxence Lacroix, who had reported a day earlier, undertook their first running drills designed to assess their conditioning. Meanwhile, the 18 other players already present engaged in small-sided games on reduced pitches, focusing on sharpness and tactical patterns.
Among the early standouts were Adrien Rabiot and Michael Olise, whose performances in those sessions caught the eye. Rabiot's dynamism and Olise's creativity provided an encouraging glimpse of the squad's depth, with the pair appearing particularly sharp and motivated. Such competition within the ranks will only intensify with the return of the Champions League finalists.
Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni captured the collective mood during a press conference, stating simply, "We can't wait to get started." His words reflect the growing anticipation within a group that blends experienced champions with emerging talents. The statement also hints at the hunger to move past the isolated training exercises and into full-scale preparation.
The arrival of the six finalists presents both an opportunity and a challenge for the coaching staff. While their individual quality is undisputed, the late integration means they have missed several days of tactical instruction and team-building activities. The technical team must now strike a delicate balance between incorporating them quickly and maintaining the rhythm already established by those who have been in camp.
Tuesday's full squad session will offer the first real look at how the team might shape up for the World Cup. All eyes will be on how the PSG contingent, fresh from their European triumph, carries that winning momentum into the national team environment, as well as how Saliba processes the contrast between club disappointment and international ambition. The psychological reset for the Arsenal man will be particularly intriguing.
Beyond the tactical and physical dimensions, President Macron's visit adds a layer of ceremony and national pride. Such moments often serve to galvanize a squad, reinforcing the sense of purpose and the broader significance of their mission. For many players, it is a reminder that they carry the hopes of an entire nation.
As the final pieces of the puzzle fall into place, the French camp is poised to shift gears. The initial days of light workouts and isolated drills will soon give way to more intensive and specific work designed for the World Cup's unique demands. With the full ensemble now assembled, the countdown to the tournament's opening match begins in earnest.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.
