This is Didier Deschamps’ biggest concern. Since the draw for the 2026 World Cup, which placed the Blues against Senegal, Norway and an intercontinental play-off during the group stage, the coach and his staff have been racking their brains to find the ideal base camp for their players next summer.
Now that the Tricolores have decided on the cities in which they will perform during the first round – New York, Philadelphia and Boston – the French team’s staff has been able to narrow the circle of its research. And one city seems to stand out more than the others: Boston.
Avoid extreme heat
Philippe Diallo, the president of the French Football Federation (FFF), confirmed this Saturday on the sidelines of the body’s general assembly. “We still need validation but it is one of the most suitable places,” he told L’Équipe, information that we are able to confirm.
Indeed, the Blues have made their choice on Boston, but they are still waiting for answers and guarantees. In the eyes of the staff, the capital of Massachusetts has the significant advantage of offering a more pleasant climate than in New York, another city initially targeted to establish the base camp. According to Deschamps and his closest collaborators, the further north the French delegation goes on the East Coast, the more it will be protected from the extreme heat.
Four cities already ruled out
Boston, where France will face Norway for its third group match on June 26, ticks many boxes but the decision to settle there has not yet been made, since the question of the hotel still has to be decided, while the staff visited several of them in the wake of the draw. Consideration is also being given to the training center.
On the other hand, according to our information, the Chicago, Toronto, Atlanta and Washington options are definitively ruled out.
As a reminder, Kylian Mbappé and his partners will set foot in Boston in March. They will challenge Brazil in a friendly match during the international break, as confirmed by Philippe Diallo in the morning. The opportunity to discover, perhaps, their base camp.
