Deschamps Undeterred by Heatwave Concerns

Pulse Sports Team 23:57 - 03 July 2026

France's head coach, Didier Deschamps, addressed the media regarding his team's preparations for their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash against Paraguay, a match anticipated to be played in extreme heat. With temperatures forecast to reach around 40°C during the game, the encounter between France and Paraguay is shaping up to be one of the tournament's most grueling. Despite this, the French manager downplayed suggestions that his team would be at a disadvantage.

"It doesn't affect whether you attack or defend in any way. It's simply one of the factors. All teams have prepared. The heat is the same for everyone," Deschamps stated.

While the starting lineup is unlikely to be influenced by the climatic conditions, the coach acknowledged that managing substitutions would be crucial.

"This will be our fifth match; some bodies have been under strain, with varying recovery times and different playing minutes," Deschamps explained.

Les Bleus have already faced weather-related issues during their group stage match against Iraq, when Kylian Mbappé's team had to wait over two hours in the dressing room for the second half to begin. It's a scenario Deschamps hopes won't be repeated.

"Will there be rain, thunderstorms? I hope not, because last time we spent two hours in the dressing room," he commented.

To mitigate the effects of physical exhaustion, France's coaching staff has implemented specific measures.

"We have applied protocols to limit these aspects," revealed the coach, who isn't underestimating their opponent. According to his analysis, Paraguay "didn't come out of nowhere" and "has the ability to respond."

Hydration was highlighted as the most critical factor in coping with the high temperatures.

"The heat is the same for everyone, which leads to greater strain on the body, hence the crucial importance of hydration," Deschamps insisted.

The match between France and Paraguay is scheduled for Sunday, July 5th, at midnight Bulgarian time. You can watch this, and all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026, live on bnt.sportal.bg.