A return of Pogba for the 2026 World Cup? Deschamps' response

During an interview for Téléfoot this Sunday, Didier Deschamps spoke about a possible return in the coming months of Paul Pogba to the France team. His suspension for doping has been reduced and the Turinese will soon be able to return to the field.

It was September 3, 2023. Returning from yet another injury, Paul Pogba came into play for around twenty minutes on the Empoli pitch, to participate in a victory for Juventus (2-0) in the championship. Since then, the “Pickaxe” has not been seen on land again. But deliverance is near.

“He will do everything to return to his best level”

With the reduction of his suspension by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, from four years to eighteen months, the midfielder (31 years old) will be able to return to training in January, then to competition in March. Possibly with Juve, since he is still under contract until 2026, or more probably elsewhere since the Old Lady has suggested in recent weeks that she is no longer counting on him.

After long months of hardship, Pogba has only one desire: to play again as quickly as possible. And ideally wear the French team jersey one day, as he told RMC Sport in mid-October. “Of course, it’s a goal. It’s always been a dream for me to play for the French team. (…) But you have to earn this place, of course,” he confided. With the 2026 World Cup in the back of your mind?

On Didier Deschamps' side, the door does not seem closed. “Believe in it, yes, but will it be possible? That's all the bad I wish for him. There will be stages. I know him very well. He has the mentality and the character. He will do everything to return to his best level,” declared the Blues coach this Sunday in Téléfoot. Pogba's last appearance in the blue jersey dates back to March 29, 2022.