Didier Deschamps said on Thursday he would have preferred to «avoid» France’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on November 13, the date that will mark the 10th anniversary of the 2015 Paris attacks.
On November 13, 2015, a series of attacks in Paris and around the Stade de France during a friendly match between Les Bleus and Germany killed a total of 130 people.
«It is a sensitive issue. Deep down I think it would have been better if we could have avoided playing on November 13,» the French coach told reporters at a news conference to announce his squad ahead of the upcoming qualifiers.
«Was that possible? I don’t have the answers, and it’s not up to me.»
Deschamps said the meeting with Ukraine “will be a special day, marked with commemorations.”
READ | Deschamps reminds Kante and Kolo Muani of France’s squad for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers
«Out of respect for the families who suffered and lost loved ones, the duty of remembrance must always be respected. And there is a football match on that date that is very important to us,» he added.
France top Group D with 10 points from four matches, three points ahead of Ukraine, who host on November 13 before traveling to Azerbaijan three days later.
Published on November 6, 2025
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