Mbappé absent as Kanté sets the tone before Senegal

Mbappé skips press duty, Kanté steps in

Kylian Mbappé was absent from France's pre-match press conference on Monday, the day before the World Cup opener against Senegal (7). N'Golo Kanté took the seat instead. No reason was given, but it is a talking point on the eve of the biggest match of the summer.

Kanté: no revenge, just relive 2018

Kanté kept it simple. "Pas de revanche", no revenge, against Senegal, he said. Just win the match (5). He also told reporters he wants to "revivre les émotions", relive the emotions, of lifting the trophy in 2018 (6). Two quotes, one message: the old hunger is still there.

Mbappé: 'No, I will not become president'

Mbappé gave a wide-ranging interview to Le Parisien ahead of the tournament. One headline from it: asked if he would one day run for president, his answer was blunt. "No, I will not become president" (3). The interview gave fans a look at his mindset before the Senegal match.

France v Senegal, Tuesday

Your team opens Group I against Senegal on Tuesday (1). Deschamps has his 4-2-3-1 ready. Dembélé, now a Ballon d'Or winner, leads an attack that Rabiot calls the most offensive setup France have fielded in years. Koundé and Théo Hernandez hold their places at the back. Maignan captains the side in all but the armband.