France national team manager Didier Deschamps has admitted he would have preferred to avoid playing the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on November 13th, the date which marks the tenth anniversary of the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks.
The match is scheduled to take place at the Stade de France, the exact location where the coordinated attacks began on Friday, November 13, 2015, during Les Bleus’ friendly fixture against Germany.
The attacks ultimately claimed 137 lives across the city.Speaking on the scheduling of the significant date, the veteran coach expressed his reservations but deferred the decision-making process to the relevant authorities.
“If we could have avoided it… Was it possible? I don’t have the answers, it’s not up to me,” Deschamps stated.
While acknowledging the weight of the occasion, the manager also stressed the professional requirements of his team.
Out of respect for the families who lost loved ones, he indicated a reluctance to discuss the horrific events in detail, focusing instead on the immediate task.
“There is a remembrance duty, but there’s a football game,” he added.According to L’Équipe, the French Football Association (FFF) has received approval from UEFA to organize a special commemoration ahead of the fixture.
The ceremony is planned to serve as a remembrance for the 2015 attack victims while also incorporating a message addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.