In an exclusive interview with Le Figaro recently, Philippe Diallo, President of the French Football Federation (FFF), talked about the French national team, Didier Deschamps, the World Cup and the new head coach after the tournament.
What do you think of Didier Deschamps, who is about to lead France in the World Cup?
He is calm, composed and focused. He has extensive experience at the highest level of international football. At the French Football Federation, we are working hard to create the best possible conditions for him so that he can lead the team to perform strongly at the World Cup.
Deschamps previously said at a press conference that “from a sporting point of view, this tour (the friendly matches) is not ideal”. Do you agree with him?
There are several factors. First, this tour was decided jointly by the coach and the players. They discussed this possibility several months ago. Second, and most importantly, this tour can be seen as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup. We will play in Boston, where we also have a World Cup match (against Norway on June 26). We will stay at our World Cup base camp. This trip to the United States is both a valuable opportunity to compete against top teams and an excellent rehearsal for the big summer tournament ahead.
Was this tour imposed by Nike, the national team’s kit supplier?
No, absolutely not. As a partner, Nike is of course delighted that we are going to the United States, but this was not a decision forced by the sponsor.In my view, this was never a factor in organizing the tour. That must be clear. I have been discussing this possibility for months. Of course, jet lag and travel fatigue need to be taken into account, but we are doing everything to ensure the best possible experience for players and staff.
The team will leave France on Tuesday morning and return on Sunday evening. To maintain good relations with the clubs, the national team players will have a considerable recovery period before their club matches next weekend.
It will also be a good chance for fans to see France’s new kit. Why is the third kit green?
Working with our kit supplier Nike, we have combined tradition with a subtle tribute to the United States. This World Cup is particularly significant as it coincides with the 250th anniversary of American Independence (1776).Given France’s involvement, and the contributions of great French figures such as Lafayette and Rochambeau who fought alongside the United States in the Revolutionary War, we wanted to pay tribute and symbolize Franco-American friendship through the Statue of Liberty.That is why one of our kits uses the colors of the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to the United States. We want this third kit to commemorate this Franco-American friendship.
What advice do you have for French fans who are hesitant to travel to the World Cup this summer?
There is no need to worry. FIFA and the U.S. authorities are taking all possible measures to ensure the safety of matches and supporters. In terms of attendance, it has already been a huge success, with tickets for all matches sold out.Tickets reserved for French fans for France’s first three World Cup matches also sold out long ago. I sincerely invite all French people living in the United States, as well as those in France, to come and support the national team.
Apart from winning the trophy for the third time, does France have any other goals at this World Cup?
Given that France has never dropped outside the top three in the FIFA Rankings over the past decade, reaching the semi-finals is a natural expectation. It reflects the team’s consistency at the highest level.But as the French national team, our target is to win the title. That is our ultimate ambition, driven by the talent of our players and the experience and expertise of Didier (Deschamps) and his staff.
