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SportsFrance enjoys day off in Boston with Harvard visit, ice cream ahead of semi-final
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The French national football team was granted a rare full day off on Friday, July 11, 2026, following their 2-0 quarter-final victory over Morocco. Coach Didier Deschamps allowed players until 8:00 PM local time to spend time with family and friends in Boston before Tuesday's semi-final against Spain. Players engaged in various activities: Lucas Digne visited Harvard University with his family; Mike Maignan and Adrien Rabiot strolled incognito in a public park; Désiré Doué and Warren Zaïre-Emery went shopping and ate ice cream; Maghnes Akliouche helped relatives with luggage. Kylian Mbappé dined with his mother and relatives at a trendy restaurant. This rest day is unusual for Deschamps before a major match, but the team has five days to prepare for the semi-final.
Source report
This Friday, the day after their 2-0 victory against Morocco, the French national team players enjoyed a day off. The break offered an opportunity to spend time with loved ones ahead of the semi-final scheduled for Tuesday at 9:00 PM against Spain.
The decision was made Thursday evening at the final whistle. The French team staff granted the entire group a day off until 8:00 PM (local time), with dinner planned at the Four Seasons hotel. It was another way to reward the squad's efforts over the past few days.
The move is further proof that Didier Deschamps places great importance on the well-being of his team, allowing players to enjoy moments with family or friends. Late after the match, many were not far from the players' hotel in downtown Boston on bustling Newbury Street. Nearby, Kylian Mbappé had dinner with his family—including his mother and other relatives—at a trendy restaurant in the city. Other families also planned a convivial moment at their hotel.
Players Incognito in the Public Park
This Friday, the schedule was truly à la carte: each player was free to spend their time as they wished.
- Lucas Digne decided to visit Harvard University with his family.
- Mike Maignan and Adrien Rabiot took advantage of slightly milder weather to stroll incognito in the public park directly across from their hotel.
- Désiré Doué and Warren Zaïre-Emery went shopping at a famous downtown store and enjoyed an ice cream.
- Later, around 6:30 PM, Maghnes Akliouche took the time to accompany his relatives, helping them carry their suitcases.
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It is quite rare for Didier Deschamps to grant this type of rest day before such an important World Cup match. After the quarter-final against England on December 10, 2022 in Qatar, for example, the Blues had a day mainly dedicated to recovery the day after the match, with a fairly light closed-door session scheduled. In 2024, before France-Spain at the Euro, and in 2018 before France-Belgium at the World Cup, no "OFF" day was granted. This time, however, the Blues have the advantage of five days to prepare for their next match.
By Arthru Perrot
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Source
Home Football - actualitésWestern
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French National Team Granted Family Time During 2026 World Cup in Boston