Paul Pogba walked into the France national team hotel on June 15, looking less like a man who nearly lost his career and more like someone who still belongs in that room. The visit came just one day before Les Bleus were set to face Senegal in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

From doping ban to Monaco to MetLife

When the ban lifted in 2025, Pogba didn’t quietly fade into punditry or retire to a vineyard in the south of France. He signed a two-year deal with AS Monaco, choosing to prove he could still compete at a high level rather than accept the narrative that his best days were behind him.

Pogba has been remarkably candid in recent media appearances, including interviews on ESPN FC between June 12 and 15, about where this team stands relative to the one he helped win the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

“They are better than us.”

That’s Pogba’s assessment of the current France squad compared to the 2018 champions. Coming from someone who lifted the trophy, that kind of statement carries genuine weight.

The art of showing up without making it about you

Pogba has been open about wanting to support the national team without creating unnecessary noise around the camp.

What this means for France’s World Cup campaign

France’s opener against Senegal at MetLife Stadium is exactly the kind of match where psychological preparation counts. For Pogba personally, the visit signals that his reintegration into the football ecosystem is progressing, with his presence clearly welcomed rather than tolerated. His contract with Monaco runs through 2027.