Sourya Sur Roy

Michael Olise Rocks Chelsea Kit As France Stars Honor Boyhood Clubs Before WC Opener

2026 FIFA World Cup, Football Kits, France National Football Team, Ibrahima Konate, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise

Ahead of their opening clash against Senegal in the 2026 World Cup, the French National Team has been photographed with each player wearing the kits of their first-ever clubs.

Keeping up with a tradition that the French team follows before every major tournament, Deschamps and his boys donned the kits of their boyhood clubs in this rather light-hearted photoshoot.

The tradition of having the players wear their first-ever kits is intended to pay respect to the numerous football clubs, be it well-established ones or those at the grassroots level, that help build the overall football ecosystem.

It is a gesture of goodwill to these clubs, by representing them on the national stage, while the players pay their thanks for the contribution of the clubs in their respective careers.

In the 2026 edition of the photoshoot, managers and coaching staff, who have had careers as football players, are also seen wearing the kits of their first clubs.

Manager Didier Deschamps, who played in clubs across Europe as a defensive midfielder during his footballing career, is seen sporting the Aviron Bayonnais FC shirt in the photograph. The small club from Bayonnais, in the French part of the Basque Country, is currently set to play in the 5th division of the French football pyramid.

Captain Kylian Mbappe and defender William Saliba can be seen wearing the AS Bondy shirt, where both started their youth careers.

Kylian’s father, Wilfrid Mbappe, served as a coach at the club for many years, before he resigned and concentrated on growing his sons’ careers.

Kylian Mbappe went on to sign for AS Monaco FC, where he burst onto the scene as a prolific winger, while Saliba moved to Saint-Etienne. 

Current Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele is seen wearing the kit of Evreux FC, where he started his youth career, before eventually moving on to the Rennes youth system.

Man City talent Rayan Cherki dons the red-yellow shirt of AS Saint-Priest, where he played as a kid.

Bayern star Michael Olise, meanwhile, appears in the Chelsea kit, as he spent a significant number of years at the London club’s youth academy at the beginning of his career. 

In this context, Chelsea fans have been vocal on X about how the London club let Olise slip through their hands, despite having played an integral part in his development. 

Other keen-eyed anime fans obviously took notice of Ibrahima Konate doing a pose from the Attack on Titan anime series, and appreciated his knowledge on such matters.

The French national team did a similar photoshoot ahead of the Euro 2024 tournament as well.

Recently, Norway followed the heartwarming tradition as well, with all their players donning the kits of their respective boyhood clubs for a team photoshoot.

France is set to begin their World Cup campaign later today, against Senegal, in an important Group I clash.

Leave a comment