Zaire-Emery and Kone: Patience key for France at World Cup

As France prepare to kick off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Senegal on Tuesday, midfielders Warren Zaire-Emery and Manu Kone have stressed the importance of patience and readiness, acknowledging they are likely to begin the tournament on the bench.

Based on recent friendlies and camp indications, Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot are expected to start in defensive midfield for Les Bleus at the New York New Jersey Stadium. That would leave Zaire-Emery and Kone, both compelling contenders for a midfield spot, to experience the global showpiece from the sidelines initially.

Ready to Contribute

“If the coach calls on me, I’ll be there to help the team and give my all to perform to the best of my ability,” said Zaire-Emery, the 20-year-old Paris Saint-Germain starlet. “You never know when you might get the nod, so I always tell myself that I’ve got to be ready to do my bit, whether that’s for 90, 120 or ten minutes, because I’m bound to be needed at some point,” added Kone, a 25-year-old Roma midfielder.

France, beaten finalists at Qatar 2022, are widely considered strong contenders to reclaim the crown, in part due to their remarkable squad depth. The abundance of options in midfield exemplifies this strength, which could prove pivotal if Didier Deschamps’ side are to go all the way.

Squad Effort Required

“We need to stay mentally and physically locked in because we know that, with any luck, we’re here for the long haul,” Kone explained, highlighting that a World Cup is a marathon, not a sprint, and requires a collective squad effort.

Despite his youth, Zaire-Emery has shown maturity beyond his years, establishing himself as a burgeoning leader at PSG. He turned 20 in March, making him the youngest member of Deschamps’ squad. “It’s true that I’m the youngest member of the squad, but I was part of the set-up for the last EURO,” he recalled, referencing the 2024 tournament in Germany where he experienced “fantastic times” without seeing game action. The exposure, he implied, has prepared him for the demands of major tournaments.

“It’s quite simply a pleasure to be here. I want to make the most of every moment and keep getting experience under my belt,” Zaire-Emery said.

Living the Dream

Both players are savoring their first World Cup experience. “I think the World Cup is what every player dreams about. The chance to feature for France at the biggest competition out there is an absolute thrill,” Zaire-Emery added.

Kone recalled being inspired by Paul Pogba’s performances at the 2014 World Cup, when Pogba was at Juventus. “It fills me with pride to think that I can now follow in his footsteps and spur on budding players,” Kone said. He also remembered celebrating France’s 2018 World Cup triumph on the Champs-Élysées after they defeated Croatia in the final.