Deschamps Demands More from Dembélé in the France Squad. Ousmane Dembélé has been unable to replicate his club success on the national team. Didier Deschamps is calling for greater responsibility from his players. Crucial qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup are ahead.
Pressure is mounting on Ousmane Dembélé in the French national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Head coach Didier Deschamps has made it clear: the Paris Saint-Germain player has been given a chance to regain confidence and prove himself at the national team level, but expectations remain high. So far, Dembélé has not been able to show the same form as he does at his club, raising questions about his role in the squad.
According to the coaching staff, the atmosphere and demands in the national team differ from those at the club level. Even for players with individual awards and titles like Dembélé, the pressure with the national team is different. Here, it's not only individual skill that matters, but also the ability to fit into a system where key figures like Mbappé consistently deliver results. However, the rest of the players must take on more responsibility so the team doesn't rely solely on one leader.
Deschamps has started restructuring the attacking lineup, hoping to see the first results already in the group stage. The staff emphasize that the team's success will depend on humility and teamwork, not on bold statements. For example, Cherki's recent words about 'thrashing opponents' sparked a mixed reaction: such an attitude does not meet the coaching staff's expectations and could harm the team.
Questions about Dembélé concern not only his statistics but also his involvement in the game. Against the backdrop of Mbappé’s consistent results, the other attacking players need to increase their contribution. Deschamps emphasizes: to achieve their goals at the 2026 World Cup, every player must be ready to work for the team and take initiative. Otherwise, the national team risks facing difficulties as early as the early stages of the tournament.
In previous matches, France has already tested new attacking formations and combinations, as confirmed by the article on Deschamps’ choice in favor of Désiré Doué and Saliba. This decision is part of the search for an optimal balance between individual skill and team play. The team faces a series of important matches ahead, where every player will be required to give their maximum.
For reference: Ousmane Dembélé is one of the most decorated French footballers of recent years, a Ballon d'Or winner and twice a Champions League victor. However, his performances for the French national team in recent seasons have not met expectations. According to official statistics, Dembélé recorded a minimal number of goal involvements in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. At the same time, France traditionally ranks among the favorites at major tournaments, and the coaching staff regularly updates the squad to maintain a high level of competition.
