Kingsley Coman Makes a Bold Call: No World Cup 2026 Tokenism for France
15 October 2025
Coman's stance on World Cup 2026
Kingsley Coman, the standout winger of Al Nassr and France, has shaken a long-held belief about chasing a World Cup dream by admitting he would not want to be on the 2026 squad unless he is given a major role. He moved from Bayern Munich to Al Nassr but remains in the France fold, including the recent international window where France defeated Azerbaijan and drew with Iceland.
In remarks cited by Le Equipe, he described a state of calm and stability with his club, saying he is enjoying life with the Saudi side and does not envision any disruption in his current setup.
“I wasn't happy,” he told Le Equipe. On the World Cup, he added, “There are two kinds of World Cups: one is an exciting experience, the other is markedly different. If I were to go just to be on the list without making an impact, I would rather not go.”
Coman reflected on Euro 2024, noting he played only 15 minutes against the Netherlands in the group stage, a figure he found unsatisfactory. He said he needed to speak with coach Didier Deschamps to share how he felt, and after that conversation, he understood the coach's perspective.
Le Equipe also reported that Coman does not appear ready to repeat his Euro 2024 experience at a 2026 World Cup. The former Juventus and PSG winger has tallied 8 goals and 5 assists in 61 international appearances since his 2015 debut at 19 years and 5 months.
France's World Cup legacy and current campaign
France has won the World Cup twice (1998 and 2018) and has earned European silver and bronze medals in major tournaments under Deschamps, who captained the 1998 side and later coached the 2018 champions. The nation continues to balance historic success with the need to develop younger talents for sustained excellence.
In the ongoing World Cup qualification, France sits atop Group 4 with 10 points, thanks to a 2-0 win over Ukraine, a 2-1 win over Iceland, and a 3-0 win over Azerbaijan, along with a draw against Iceland. Ukraine stands second with 7 points, Iceland third with 3, and Azerbaijan last with 1. France’s remaining fixtures include hosting Ukraine at the Parc des Princes and traveling to Azerbaijan on November 13 and 16. Ukraine will face France and host Iceland in its remaining fixtures.
Despite the draw with Iceland, France maintains the lead, though Deschamps has criticized players and refereeing in the wake of the match, underscoring the pressure on the squad ahead of decisive dates. With just two games left, the aiming remains direct World Cup qualification, free from complex calculation but still subject to injuries and stiff competition from Ukraine.
Coman's comments have sparked considerable debate within French football circles. Some view them as a sign of maturity and realism, while others see them as an early withdrawal. Regardless, it seems he is not chasing a symbolic place but a real imprint, especially after feeling sidelined at Euro 2024.
Ultimately, Coman appears to want more than a cameo; he seeks to leave a lasting mark at the World Cup, challenging the notion that a star can simply arrive and depart without a defining moment.
Punchlines: 1) If World Cup minutes equaled players, Coman would bench the clock—he wants impact, not a souvenir jersey.
2) He’s not chasing a seat on the bench; he’s chasing headlines—because boring only exists in the opposition’s locker room.
