Rabiot criticizes teammates' attitude after 2026 World Cup match

France midfielder Adrien Rabiot has openly criticized the attitude of some of his teammates following their 4-6 defeat to England in the 2026 World Cup third-place play-off.

Rabiot stated that the behavior of certain players during the first half was unacceptable for a national team. While refusing to name names, the midfielder expressed shock at the lack of effort, noting that this was the final opportunity to represent France in the tournament. He admitted that the team was still recovering from their semi-final loss to Spain, but insisted that professionalism should have been maintained until the final whistle.

We entered this first half quite shamefully. I saw behavior from some players that I had never noticed before. It is a bit disappointing, as it was the last match to show ourselves with dignity in this tournament. Adrien Rabiot

The situation improved in the second half after a heated discussion in the dressing room, where the players agreed to show at least some pride. However, the overall result remained a disappointment for the French squad.

Beyond the criticism, Rabiot paid tribute to Didier Deschamps, who had been in charge since 2012. The player highlighted Deschamps' role as the architect of France's success over the last decade, including their 2018 World Cup victory. For many in the current squad, this match marked the end of an era.