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TRIBUNAMBON.COM - Less than two weeks remain before the grand football spectacle, the FIFA World Cup, kicks off on June 11, 2026.

A total of 48 national teams from 48 countries will compete to showcase their football prowess.

This edition is the largest in history in terms of the number of participating teams and marks the first time the tournament will be hosted across three nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The excitement surrounding the world’s most popular sport is already palpable everywhere.

This enthusiasm is also evident in Ambon City, Maluku Province.

Discussions about football, team predictions, and favourite players are buzzing in local coffee shops and filling social media comment sections.

TribunAmbon.com witnessed this passion firsthand when visiting the Deputy Chief of Maluku Regional Police (Wakapolda Maluku), Brigadier General Imam Thobroni, in his office at the Maluku Police Headquarters on Friday, May 29, 2025.

“I’m rooting for France,” said the Deputy Chief confidently when asked about his favourite team.

“Why France? Because they’re a great team. In the last five World Cups, they’ve reached the final three times. They always produce big names — Zidane, Henry, and others. And now, there’s Kylian Mbappe, who’s also my favourite player. At 27, he’s at his peak and already captaining the team,” he explained.

“He’ll definitely be the target man, but if he’s well-supported by young players, they’ll be a serious threat,” he added.

According to the senior police officer, a 1991 graduate of the Police Academy, the French national team consistently displays an elegant playing style, quick movements, and strong physical attributes. These qualities, he said, will make them a formidable challenge for opponents and an exciting team to watch for football fans worldwide.

He also highlighted that Didier Deschamps, being a former player with vast experience, understands his squad thoroughly and knows how to maximize each player’s potential.

Deschamps, he noted, has a strong ambition to lead Les Bleus to another World Cup final as a fitting farewell with the national team.

“He’s a former player who truly understands the character of his squad,” Thobroni remarked.

The Deputy Chief predicted that France will leave a major imprint on the tournament and is likely to reach at least the semi-finals.

“At the very least, they’ll make it to the semi-finals,” he said with a smile.

An avid sports enthusiast, Thobroni also revealed plans to host a public World Cup viewing event at Tahapary Field in Ambon, inviting participation from local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

He hopes that involving MSMEs will have a positive economic impact for small business owners.

“We hope the watch party can promote a safe and lively atmosphere in Ambon while also boosting local MSMEs,” he concluded.

For reference, here is the list of 26 players in the French national team:

Forwards
Kylian Mbappe, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Maghnes Akliouche, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Marcus Thuram, Michael Olise.

Midfielders
Aurelien Tchouameni, Manu Kone, N’Golo Kante, Adrien Rabiot, Warren Zaire-Emery.

Defenders
L. Hernandez, T. Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Maxence Lacroix.