Colombia national football team head into a high profile clash with France national football team with a clear sense of realism, belief, and urgency following their recent defeat to Croatia. As Softfootball reported from the press conference posted by Deportes RCN via their youtube channel and training base in Washington, the squad is fully aware of the level required to compete with elite opposition.
One of the standout voices in the camp emphasized both respect for France and confidence within the squad:
“They are world-class… they have very good resources, many qualities… but each one of my teammates is also facing good players in their leagues, and personally, I just want to give whatever I can to the team whenever I’m needed.”
The focus remains on internal competition and unity, with players stressing equal opportunities ahead of the World Cup:
“We all have the same possibilities, the same chance, the same opportunity to fight for a place in the group… Mbappé is an incredible player, one of the best in the world, but we also have very good players… and I know we can have an excellent match tomorrow.”
Reflecting on their recent loss, the squad acknowledged key lessons:
“Every match is a lesson… we are trying to improve in every training session, and I think that’s something we’re going to do better in this game.”
There was also a strong message about mentality heading into the World Cup:
“The best way to prepare is by competing at the highest level… sometimes trying to protect yourself opens the door to injuries… the best way to arrive ready is by competing at 100%.”
Watch press conference below;
The challenge is clear, especially with France coming off a 2–1 win over Brazil, further strengthening their credentials ahead of 2026. Meanwhile, discussions around leadership continue to grow, with Zinedine Zidane still widely viewed as the favourite to take charge post-World Cup.
Colombia now face a defining test not just for results, but for confidence, identity, and readiness against one of the world’s strongest teams.
