France head coach Didier Deschamps has admitted he has no doubt about Paul Pogba’s ultimate ambition: a return to the national team in time for next year’s World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, October 2, 2025, Deschamps outlined the steps Pogba must take to earn a recall to Les Bleus, with Pogba expected to make his Monaco debut later this month.
Will Paul Pogba play for France again?
After serving an 18-month suspension for failing doping tests, Pogba is inching toward one of football’s most anticipated comebacks.
Over the summer, the former Manchester United and Juventus star signed a two-year deal with Monaco, breaking down in tears at the prospect of restarting his career.
The Frenchman has already made his ambitions clear: a return to the world stage with the two-time world champions.
At Thursday’s press conference, Deschamps addressed Pogba’s desire head-on.
“Yes, he’s getting closer to the moment when he’ll become a football player again. A return to the French team? That he wants it and that it’s a goal in his mind, I have no doubt,” he began as quoted by GOAL.
After that, he has steps to take. The next one is when he has the Monaco jersey and sets foot on the pitch. I hope it goes well for him. After that, we’ll see. That’s all I wish for him, just to get through this first step. That will be a huge joy for him.
Whether it’s possible [to return to the France team], if I say yes, it will be: ‘Wow, Pogba’s back.’ If I say no, I’ll look like an idiot, so that’s not going to work either. That’s all the bad I wish for him to already get through this first stage.”
It has been nearly four years since Pogba last wore the French jersey. His most recent appearance came on March 29, 2022, in a friendly against South Africa. Since then, injuries, suspensions, and off-field struggles have kept him out of Deschamps’ plans.
Determined to help him regain fitness, Monaco mapped out a three-month training program in June, carefully designed to rebuild his sharpness after two years away from competitive football. Head coach Adi Hütter reiterated in July that Pogba was still some distance from full match readiness.
When will Pogba make his Monaco debut?
Now, the wait is almost over. According to Hütter, Pogba could finally make his long-awaited debut for the Principality club after the international break, with October 18 against Angers being the earliest possible date.
For Pogba, that first step back onto the pitch will mean more than just minutes — it will mark the beginning of a personal and professional resurrection.
For Deschamps, the path back into the French squad remains open, but the midfielder must prove himself one game at a time.