Pogba Faces Uphill Battle for France World Cup Recall After Monaco Return

Paul Pogba’s return to competitive football has done little to revive his hopes of a France recall, with World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf insisting the midfielder has almost no chance of making Didier Deschamps’ squad for 2026 despite his recent comeback at Monaco.

The former Manchester United and Juventus star made his long-awaited return to action last month, but Leboeuf believes the door is effectively closed at the international level, rating Pogba’s chances of a call-up at just five percent.

Pogba remains one of Deschamps’ most trusted players of the past decade and was central to France’s 2018 World Cup triumph, scoring in the final as Les Bleus beat Croatia 4-2. However, his career has stalled dramatically since then, with injuries, inconsistency, and suspension derailing his momentum.

Now 32, Pogba’s struggles after his £89 million return to Manchester United were followed by an ill-fated second spell at Juventus. He managed only 12 appearances before testing positive in September 2023, a case that initially led to a four-year ban later reduced to 18 months on appeal.

Released by Juventus during that enforced absence, Pogba spent months without a club before signing for Monaco. His first appearance came on November 22, 2025, ending an 811-day spell away from competitive football.

The timing is critical. France is building toward the 2026 World Cup with a midfield already packed with younger, in-form options who have delivered consistently at the club and international levels. Deschamps has also hinted that experience alone will not be enough to earn a recall.

Leboeuf, speaking recently, questioned whether Pogba can realistically return to elite level after such a long absence. He pointed to the physical demands of match football and the difficulty of displacing players who have maintained rhythm and reliability over several seasons.

Deschamps has previously acknowledged Pogba’s desire to return but stressed that any comeback would depend entirely on performances at Monaco. The France coach has not capped Pogba since March 2022, leaving the midfielder with 91 international appearances.

At Monaco, the focus is now on rebuilding. Pogba’s early minutes have been carefully managed, with the club prioritizing fitness and sharpness over immediate impact. The atmosphere around his return has been supportive, but expectations remain measured.

There were flashes of his familiar range of passing and positional awareness in his debut, yet the tempo and intensity highlighted how much ground remains to be covered. Pogba is still adapting to match speed after nearly two and a half years without regular competition.

Any late surge toward international contention would require sustained excellence, not just brief moments. France’s midfield depth leaves little margin for error, and Deschamps is unlikely to gamble on sentiment with a World Cup approaching.

Pogba himself has taken a realistic stance, admitting his priority is helping Monaco and regaining full fitness before thinking about international ambitions. For now, the World Cup remains a distant target rather than an active expectation.

Unless Pogba can rediscover his best form quickly and consistently, his France career appears close to its end, with Monaco representing both a fresh start and a final proving ground.