France's World Cup squad highlighted by Thurman gag and veteran players' praise

France is finalising its lineup for the upcoming World Cup, with the opening match against Senegal scheduled for Tuesday in New York. Inter forward Marcus Thuram, not expected to start, became a source of amusement during a training‑camp photo shoot when he stumbled over his own name, replying “I am Marc. Marcus Thuram,” which made the staff laugh.

Midfield‑er Zaire‑Emery of Paris Saint‑Germain spoke to the press about France’s attacking options, praising the flexibility of Ousmane Dembélé and noting the exceptional quality of players such as Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram and Kylian Mbappé. He stressed that the team’s fluid movement and individual talent are key to a successful tournament.