World Cup 2026: 'We need you to have confidence in us,' says France midfielder Manu Koné

Manu Koné, a midfielder for the French national team, conveyed a strong sense of self-belief and readiness for the upcoming World Cup. Speaking at a press conference ahead of France's match against Senegal, Koné addressed his personal aspirations and the team's collective mindset.

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We need you to have confidence in us. We have confidence in ourselves.

"We need you to have confidence in us. We have confidence in ourselves," Koné stated, underscoring the team's determination. He reflected on his own journey, acknowledging past injuries that had slowed his progress but expressing his commitment to being prepared for the coach's needs. Koné highlighted the pride in seeing six players from the U21 team, coached by Thierry Henry, now part of the senior squad, calling it a "great individual and collective pride."

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It's a pride for the coach (Thierry) Henry to have six players in the A team. We are grateful.

The midfielder also discussed the team's preparation, including recent friendly matches against Ivory Coast and Northern Ireland. While acknowledging defensive differences in those games, he pointed to the team's offensive capabilities and resilience. Koné stressed the importance of securing a win in the opening group match against Senegal, describing the African champions as a "very good team."

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It's a pride and I hope to represent France firmly at the World Cup.

Looking back at his own experience, Koné shared memories of celebrating France's 2018 World Cup victory on the Champs-Élysées and watching the 2022 tournament from home. He expressed a deep personal pride in representing France at the World Cup and aims to do so "firmly."

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It's the first group match, we have to win the first match to get off to a good start in the competition. They are the African champions. It's a very good team.