France land in Boston as Kounde injury raises concerns

France land in Boston

The squad touched down in Boston on Thursday, six days out from the World Cup opener against Senegal. First order of business: stretching, a team dinner, and taking in the NBA Finals as a group (1). The travel plan has been calibrated carefully – one hour of time-zone recovery per day – as the heat and humidity of a US summer await.

Kounde injury concern

The Barcelona defender picked up a muscle problem this week and is now a doubt for the Senegal match on June 16. The injury is not thought to be too serious, but any disruption to your back line at this stage is worrying (4). Deschamps will have to weigh whether to risk him or protect Kounde for later in the group stage.

The schedule

With the World Cup starting today – Mexico vs South Africa opens the tournament – your opener against Senegal is set for Tuesday, June 16. The format is brutal: red cards for covering your mouth while speaking to an opponent, and a countdown clock on throw-ins to kill time-wasting (3). No warm-up act left. Straight into it.

Wenger and Theo Hernandez back Mbappé

Wenger came out swinging for Mbappé, calling the criticism he's faced this season "unfair" and pointing out the Real Madrid side around him has been "average." He's betting on a big tournament: "People tend to forget his exceptional talent" (6). Theo Hernandez echoed the sentiment, saying he told Mbappé that Real Madrid was "the best club in the world" and that the France squad will "support Mbappé to the death" (2).

Deschamps: 'I must be stupid'

Deschamps was in sarcastic form when asked about playing Mbappé through the middle. "I must be stupid," he said, before laying out a more serious defence: Mbappé arrived at the Euros from a brutal final six months at PSG with no playing time, and this camp gave the squad only 10 days across two matches – not enough for any real preparation. He added that the France team is "always stronger with Mbappé" (5).