Deschamps gives latest on Kylian Mbappé and William Saliba ahead of France vs Ivory Coast friendly
Didier Deschamps confirmed Kylian Mbappé is fit and set to start France’s June 5 friendly with Ivory Coast, while William Saliba is ruled out as the coach manages his minutes ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Who, what, when and why it matters: France head coach Didier Deschamps provided a fitness and selection update on Kylian Mbappé and William Saliba ahead of Les Bleus’ first pre-World Cup friendly against Ivory Coast on Thursday, June 5, 2026. Deschamps said Mbappé is “in great shape” and is expected to start, while Saliba will not play as his back issue is managed—news that matters because both players are central to France’s plans with the World Cup less than two weeks away.
Why it matters
The comments matter because Mbappé is France’s captain and main attacking threat going into the 2026 World Cup, while Saliba is a key defensive figure after a season that saw him help Arsenal to the Premier League title. How Deschamps manages their minutes in the run-up fixtures could indicate his immediate plans for the tournament and how he balances fitness with the need for match sharpness.
Deschamps’ assessment of Mbappé and Saliba
According to Deschamps’ press-conference remarks reported by World Soccer Talk, the coach was unequivocal in his support for Mbappé, saying the captain is both physically and psychologically ready and underlining his experience — this is Mbappé’s third World Cup. Deschamps added that Mbappé has spoken with teammates and continues to play a leadership role in camp. On Saliba, Deschamps gave a more cautious update: the defender is “doing well” but will not feature on Thursday because of a back problem, and the coaching staff will manage playing time across the squad during the short preparation period.
Match context and expected defensive setup
France face Ivory Coast at the Stade de La Beaujoire — Louis Fonteneau in Nantes on June 5, with a second friendly against Northern Ireland set four days later. Deschamps praised Ivory Coast as one of Africa’s and the world’s stronger sides and said the fixture will provide a stern test. With Saliba unavailable for the Ivory Coast game, Deschamps is reported to be likely to pair Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konaté at centre-back, with Jules Koundé on the right and Theo Hernández on the left. The coach also warned he will have to manage minutes for players who appeared in the recent Champions League final.
- Friendlies: Ivory Coast (June 5) at Nantes; Northern Ireland follows four days later.
- Mbappé: Deschamps says he is in great physical and psychological shape; expected to start against Ivory Coast.
- Saliba: Ruled out of the Ivory Coast friendly due to a back issue; being managed for minutes in camp.
- Defence: With Saliba out, Upamecano and Konaté are expected to start at centre-back, flanked by Koundé and Hernández.
- World Cup context: France drawn in Group I with Senegal, Norway and Iraq; tournament opener vs Senegal on June 16, 2026.
Deschamps already thinking about his World Cup XI
Deschamps acknowledged that, with the World Cup starting on June 16, he already has a likely starting XI in mind but cautioned that two remaining friendlies and match conditions in the United States could influence final decisions. He stressed the importance of managing player frustration at not starting and using the preparation matches to gather further information before naming the World Cup lineup.
Tactical and selection implications: The immediate implication is that France will test personnel and manage minutes rather than risk players returning from long club seasons. Saliba’s absence opens the door for a Konaté–Upamecano centre-back pairing in the short term; how long Saliba is managed and whether he returns to full training before the World Cup was not detailed in the source and should be confirmed with France’s medical staff or federation statements.
What happens next
France will play Ivory Coast on June 5 and Northern Ireland four days later as final tune-ups before the World Cup. Deschamps’ comments suggest Mbappé will play at least some minutes in Nantes, while Saliba will be rested in the first friendly with his minutes to be managed in the remaining preparation. Final starting lineups and any updated fitness reports have not been published in the source and should be checked against official France squad releases or the federation’s matchday information.