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SportsMbappé to skip pre-match press conference; Kanté to replace him
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France captain Kylian Mbappé will not attend the pre-match press conference on Monday, the day before France's first World Cup match against Senegal. Instead, vice-captain N'Golo Kanté will face the media. The French Football Federation explained that coach Didier Deschamps decided to spare Mbappé a long car journey to MetLife Stadium and back to the training ground, after FIFA refused to hold the press conference at the team's training base. Mbappé is expected to attend the press conference before France's match against Iraq on June 22.
Source report
While it is not mandatory, it is typically the captain who faces the press during pre-match press conferences, especially ahead of a first World Cup match. However, this Monday (10:30 a.m. US time), it will be N'Golo Kanté who steps up to the microphones in place of Kylian Mbappé.
The French Football Federation (FFF) justified the decision, citing Didier Deschamps' desire not to have the Real Madrid striker spend several hours traveling to MetLife Stadium and then to the training ground. According to the federation, FIFA refused to hold the press conference at Mélanie Lane, the Red Bulls' training center.
Kylian Mbappé is expected to attend the pre-match press conference against Iraq in Philadelphia on June 22 (11:00 p.m.).
Source
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France captain Mbappé skips pre-match press conference before World Cup opener