Star Metro - Deschamps guards against World Cup over-confidence

Deschamps' team have reached the final of the last two tournaments, lifting the trophy in 2018 before losing on penalties to Argentina four years ago.

Led by star forward Kylian Mbappe, they are one of the favourites for victory in North America for the World Cup from June 11 to July 19.

"It's a major event. Some people think we're already at July 19, I don't much like that, in fact not at all," Deschamps told reporters on Friday at France's Clairefontaine base near Paris.

"Yes, we're one of the best teams, but I know all too well that there are some important steps to take before thinking about the those heights.

"We'll do everything to get there."

To start with, France must come through a group which includes Senegal, Iraq and Norway.

Back in 2002, when France were the defending champions for the first time, they lost to former colony Senegal and crashed out at the first hurdle after finishing bottom of their group.

Deschamps, 57, is bidding to bow out in style after 14 years at the France helm.

He guided France to the World Cup quarter-finals in his first tournament as head coach, and two years later they reached the Euros final on home soil.

Since then, France have reached two World Cup finals and a Euros semi-final, making Deschamps one of the most successful coaches in the national team's history.

He was without eight members of his World Cup squad for training on Friday as six players will play in Saturday's Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, while two more lined up for Crystal Palace in their Europa Conference League success on Wednesday.

France will play two friendly internationals before the World Cup, against Ivory Coast in Nantes on June 4 and at home to Northern Ireland in Lille four days later.

They begin their Group I campaign against Senegal on June 16 in East Rutherford.

M.Johnson--SMC