2026 World Cup - France: Rayan Cherki, an undisputed starter? Deschamps gives his answer

World Cup 2026 Today at 14:14

Joshua SOSSOU

News Editor

Impressive against Ivory Coast on Thursday in Nantes (1-2), Rayan Cherki now has strong arguments to claim a starting spot at the 2026 World Cup with the French national team.

A three-way battle is shaping up between Rayan Cherki, Désiré Doué, and Bradley Barcola. Invited on Téléfoot this Sunday morning, Didier Deschamps addressed the possibility of seeing Cherki in the starting XI for Les Bleus in the United States.

"Could Rayan (Cherki) be a potential starter at the World Cup? There are a lot of players who can legitimately see themselves or think they’ll be starters; I have 26 players. Rayan played a very, very good match against Ivory Coast, I told him so. He was excellent at what he does best, and efficient. But there are also other players who can have that status (as a starter). Obviously, as a staff, we’ll have to deal with some frustrations from one player or another. We’ll need everyone, between those who start and those who come off the bench—it won’t necessarily be the same ones every time." said the French national team coach.

Related teams and leagues

France

World Cup