The 2026 World Cup has begun, and expectations among French fans mix enthusiasm, ambition and a feeling of revenge.
Four years after the painful defeat in the final against Argentina in Qatar, many Bleus fans have still not turned the page and dream of a decisive reunion.
This is the case of Matthias, a loyal fan who has followed the French team since 2014 and who will be present again in this edition. He has a bad memory of that day in December 2022. Four years later, he wants revenge.
“I want a final between France and Argentina because it still hurts. I was there in 2022 and it haunted me for a few weeks. But, with a calm victory, we will turn the page and recover our third star!”, he said.
Matthias will be in New York to accompany the Bleus in their first match, against Senegal, on the 16th, Tuesday, in New Jersey.
“We’re looking forward to it. It’s the longest competition ever organized, because it lasts almost five weeks, with 48 teams. It’s going to be another marathon”, he summarizes.
“But on the other hand, we will give our all in each match. As it will be held across the country, there will be several countries in each city. We will have to create an incredible atmosphere”, he predicts.
The trip was organized in partnership with the Irrésistibles Français association, which brought together hundreds of members in the “Follow My Time” package, with tickets at more affordable prices, for around €480 (around R$2,844) for the entire competition, conditioned on the team’s classification.
For many, it is the only way to follow the team in an event that promises to be the most expensive in the history of the World Cup.
Costs are one of the biggest obstacles. Fabrice, another fan who will travel with his teenage son, has been preparing financially for two years. He points out that accommodation represents the biggest expense and regrets the increasingly elite profile of the public.
“The people who go to the World Cup are very rich and will be alone in the stadium. There are no more families because it is a huge expense. I think it’s a shame, because it takes away the original essence of football, which is a sport played mainly by children, whether boys or girls”, he states.
“We used to play football in the playground. Nowadays, what’s missing is the concept of family”, concludes the fan.
This perception that the World Cup audience will be those with the greatest purchasing power is confirmed, in part, by recent data. Hotel rates in cities close to the stadiums have soared, making the experience even more expensive for international fans.
Still, the desire to follow the team and experience the World Cup up close continues to mobilize thousands of French people.
France among the favorites
While the fans are organizing themselves, the French press is also getting into the spirit of the World Cup.
The sports newspaper L’Équipe highlights that France is looking for a third world title, but faces a group considered difficult, with Senegal, Norway and Iraq. The publication recognizes the potential of the team led by Didier Deschamps, despite the initial challenges.
The newspaper Libération focuses on Kylian Mbappé, identified as the main figure of the team. According to the daily, the attacker carries the weight of expectations and focuses attention both on and off the field.
Despite the talent of the squad, the newspaper is cautious and projects a limited campaign, predicting a possible elimination in the round of 16.
Le Figaro takes a more optimistic view. For the periodical, France is capable of winning the title, although it faces strong competition from powers such as Argentina, Spain, Portugal and Brazil. The analysis says that the balance between the teams should mark this edition of the tournament.
La Croix highlights a broader context. The publication questions whether the World Cup will be able to overcome the international controversies surrounding the event, in a global scenario marked by tensions.
In reports made in bars in Paris, the newspaper notes that fans’ excitement is still moderate, but could grow throughout the competition. He adds that the World Cup continues to be one of the rare events capable of awakening a strong collective feeling of belonging to the nation.
France begins its journey to the 2026 World Cup carrying both the weight of the past and the hope of a new title.
With information from Amélie Beaucour, from RFI
