France vs Senegal: Paul Pogba’s dream of wearing the France shirt at the FIFA World Cup 2026 has suffered a major setback after blunt and uncompromising remarks from former France international and World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf. Who believes the midfielder’s chances of a comeback are almost nonexistent. Leboeuf, speaking with notable honesty, rated Pogba’s likelihood of returning to Didier Deschamps’ squad at just five per cent.

The countdown to football greatness has begun! France vs Senegal Tickets are available now at gettickets365. Buy FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets online with confidence at gettickets365. From exciting group stage matches to the historic World Cup Final, we offer secure booking, reliable service, and affordable prices. Join football fans from around the globe and experience FIFA 2026 live in the stadium.

A figure he admitted he offered more out of kindness than genuine belief. To underline his point, Leboeuf compared Pogba’s potential return to the national team with the absurd idea of Zinedine Zidane making a comeback as a player. A comparison that starkly highlights how far Pogba has slipped from France’s international plans. At 32 years old, Pogba was once the heartbeat of the French midfield and one of the defining figures of their triumphant 2018 World Cup campaign in Russia.

Memorably scoring in the final as Les Bleus defeated Croatia 4–2. At that moment, Pogba appeared destined to dominate the international stage for years. Combining physical presence, technical ability, creativity, and leadership in a way few midfielders could match. However, the years since that unforgettable success have been marked by turbulence, frustration, and decline, with injuries and inconsistency.

Injuries and setbacks derail Pogba’s FIFA World Cup 2026 hopes

And off-field problems are steadily eroding his status at both club and international level. His high-profile return to Manchester United in 2016 for a then-world-record £89 million transfer promised much but ultimately delivered far less. As Pogba struggled to maintain form amid constant managerial changes and recurring fitness issues FIFA World Cup Final. While flashes of brilliance reminded fans of his immense talent.

They were too often overshadowed by long spells on the sidelines and performances that failed to justify the hype surrounding him. Hoping to revive his career, Pogba returned to Juventus in 2022. A club where he had previously enjoyed his best club football. But this move also turned into a disappointment, as injuries once again limited his impact and restricted him to just 12 appearances. Matters worsened dramatically in September 2023 when Pogba failed a doping test.

Resulting in a four-year suspension that effectively threatened to end his career. Although that ban was later reduced to 18 months on appeal, the damage to his reputation and momentum was severe. Juventus chose to release him during his enforced absence, leaving Pogba without a club for several months. And casting serious doubt over whether he would ever return to top-level football. His eventual move back to France with Monaco.

Leboeuf doubts Pogba can force a France return before the FIFA World Cup

His competitive return on November 22, 2025, was undoubtedly a positive step on a personal level. And a welcome sight for fans who had been eager to see him back on the pitch. Nevertheless, Leboeuf remains convinced that this comeback has come far too late to realistically put Pogba back in contention for France ahead of the Norway vs France Tickets. According to the former Chelsea defender, international football at the highest level leaves little room for sentiment or nostalgia.  

Demanding rhythm, consistency, and sustained high-level performances, qualities that Pogba has been unable to demonstrate for several seasons. Leboeuf acknowledged that Didier Deschamps has always appreciated Pogba’s unique profile and influence, but he also stressed that training sessions alone cannot replicate the physical intensity, tactical sharpness, and mental demands of competitive matches, especially after such a prolonged absence from elite football.

In Leboeuf’s view, Pogba’s age, combined with the depth and quality of France’s current midfield options, makes a recall extremely unlikely. He jokingly suggested that if Deschamps were to bring Pogba back. He might as well recall N’Golo Kanté, Antoine Griezmann, or even Zidane himself. A tongue-in-cheek remark that reflects the general skepticism surrounding Pogba’s international future.

France's midfield depth challenges Pogba’s FIFA 2026 hopes

France, after all, is blessed with an abundance of younger, dynamic midfielders who have consistently performed at both club and international level, making it difficult to justify gambling on a player whose best years may already be behind him. Deschamps, for his part, has taken a more measured and diplomatic approach when discussing Pogba’s situation, repeatedly stating.

That any potential return to the France squad would depend entirely on the midfielder’s performances and ability to remain fit over time.  The France coach has emphasized that Pogba’s immediate focus should be on enjoying football again and rebuilding his club career after more than two and a half years away from regular competition, suggesting that simply returning to consistent action is already a significant achievement.

While Deschamps has not completely shut the door on Pogba ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, his comments also reflect a broader reality: selections for a tournament of such intensity must be based on current form, physical reliability, and tactical balance rather than past achievements alone.

France vs Senegal: Pogba’s uphill battle to return to France for the World Cup

For Pogba, the road back to the France national team now looks steep, uncertain, and heavily dependent on an unlikely sequence of sustained performances and good fortune. Leboeuf’s harsh assessment mirrors a wider mood within French football, where admiration for Pogba’s past contributions is mixed with realism about his present situation. Once a symbol of France’s new generation and a global superstar expected to lead the team for a decade.

Pogba now finds himself fighting to simply stabilize his club career, let alone reclaim a place on the world’s biggest stage. As France look ahead to the FIFA World Cup 2026 with renewed ambition, emerging talent, and high expectations, Pogba’s story stands as a powerful reminder of how quickly fortunes can change at the elite level of the sport, and how difficult it is to recapture past glory once momentum, fitness, and continuity have been lost.

Buy FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets online at gettickets365 with secure checkout and trusted service. Choose from group stage matches through to the World Cup Final and experience football’s greatest tournament live in the stadium.