Dominique Sévérac: "Football remains a subject of constant debate."

Three weeks before the 2026 World Cup, Dominique Sévérac published, on May 19th, with Ellipses publishers, I finally understand football!, a book conceived as an accessible gateway to the world of modern football. Senior reporter in the sports department of Le Parisien for over twenty years and a regular columnist for The Evening Team, the journalist returns, in an interview given to Interviews, on the evolution of football, the media coverage of the sport, Didier Deschamps, the geopolitical stakes of the 2026 World Cup, but also the spectacular transformation of Paris Saint-Germain under the orders of Luis Enrique.

Interview: You've been covering football for almost thirty years. Do you still have the same passionate perspective today as when you started?

Dominique Sévérac: Yes, because football is a news story that never stops. There's always something happening. There are always new players, new stories, new generations emerging. Ten years ago, Mbappé's arrival created enormous interest. Today, other players are taking over. And then there's the World Cup with Messi, Ronaldo, or Modric. There's never really any weariness. Even when certain events involving fans or violence can be disappointing, the interest in the game, in transfers, or in understanding tactics remains captivating.

You have also been a columnist for L'Équipe du Soir for over ten years. How has your way of talking about football evolved?

Today, there are two dimensions to the profession. First, there's classic journalistic work: the facts, the information, the investigations, how the clubs operate, the transfer market. Then there are the programs where you give more of your opinion. Football is a subject of constant debate. There are no absolute truths. Someone might prefer Cristiano Ronaldo to Messi, another might think the opposite. If it's well-reasoned, anything can be defended. Sport remains, above all, a vehicle for emotion. For the past fifteen years or so, I've shifted more towards this world of commentary and opinion, which complements the investigative work of the daily newspaper.

Does football take up too much space in the media today?

In France, honestly, no. When you look at Spain, Italy, or England, the media coverage is much more extensive. Obviously, social media has made the debates more excessive and irrational, but I don't think we're experiencing media saturation around football in France.

"Football remains the most universal sporting event."

Why did you write I finally understand football! ?

This was a proposal from the publishing house. They had launched a collection covering various subjects such as economics, mathematics, and French. They wanted a sports-related entry point, focusing on football, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching. Football remains the most universally popular sporting event in the world. A World Cup attracts billions of viewers. Even the Olympic Games don't reach those numbers.

What was your goal with this work?

I wanted to both provide the basics for those who know little about football and offer more in-depth topics for enthusiasts. For example, I discuss the geopolitics of football, ethics bonuses, and the economics of the sport. I tried to blend very accessible material with more in-depth elements.

You also explain that football is a virtually endless subject…

Yes, absolutely. Each chapter could be a whole book in itself. Football is constantly evolving. You could almost update the book every six months. That's also what makes this sport so exciting to follow and write about.

"A selection is made to win."

Didier Deschamps is regularly criticized for his football, which is considered too pragmatic. Do you understand these criticisms?

I understand that we can debate the playing style, but what you can't take away from Didier Deschamps is the results. If he's been there for fourteen years, it's because he wins. He knows how to build a team for international competitions. Even when the French team played poorly at Euro 2024, they still reached the semi-finals. A national team isn't necessarily there to produce the most beautiful football. It's there to win.

Do you nevertheless see an offensive evolution in this French team?

Yes. With players like Dembélé, Barcola, Olise, and Mbappé, there's more creativity. I think there's been a more attacking evolution compared to previous tournaments, even if Deschamps remains focused on efficiency above all else.

Did Adrien Truffert deserve a place in the French national team?

For Didier Deschamps, Champions League experience remains a very important criterion. Truffert is having a good season, but he still lacks that experience at the highest European level.

"The 2026 World Cup will be a major geopolitical event."

What will be the major issues at stake in the 2026 World Cup hosted in the United States?

This will be a huge geopolitical event. Donald Trump will want to use this World Cup as a showcase for the United States. Immigration issues, political tensions, protests… all of this will surround the competition. There will inevitably be disagreements about his policies during the tournament. Iran, in particular, will be playing in the United States in an extremely sensitive context. Unlike Russia in 2018 or Qatar, the United States remains a country where media and political dissent is very strong. This will have a significant impact on this World Cup.

From a sporting perspective, what should we expect?

I think we'll have a potentially complicated first round with a lot of teams and difficult weather conditions. But the major nations should be there: France, Spain, Argentina, Portugal… and I would also add Senegal, who could be a very pleasant surprise.

"Luis Enrique is already in the Pantheon"

If Luis Enrique wins a second Champions League title, will he become one of the greatest coaches in history?

Yes, without a doubt. For me, he'll be in the pantheon alongside Guardiola, Cruyff, Arrigo Sacchi, and Rinus Michels. His football is incredibly sophisticated. He revolutionized PSG not only in terms of play but also in terms of mentality. He transformed Paris Saint-Germain into a winning club, a club admired worldwide.

What impresses you most about him?

His ability to constantly question himself. He watches a lot of what's being done in other sports like basketball, rugby, and cycling. He tests a lot of things in training. He's constantly looking for new tactical ideas. He's a coach who challenges his own assumptions. For me, he's the best coach in the world today.

Did Kylian Mbappé's departure ultimately help PSG?

Luis Enrique doesn't have a problem with stars. He has a problem with players who don't work hard. What he wants are players capable of contributing both offensively and defensively. Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia are stars, but they are also players who run a lot and defend well.

How do you explain his ability to reposition certain players in unexpected positions?

First, because he himself was a versatile player. Second, because he works incredibly hard. He observes everything that's being done elsewhere, even in other sports. He's constantly testing things out. He puts Mayulu in different positions, he experiments a lot. He's a modern, innovative coach, always searching.

Can this PSG team dominate Europe in the long term?

Yes, because this team is young and still has enormous room for improvement. We may only be at the beginning of a true European dynasty for this PSG.

"PSG does not want to overhaul its squad."

Should PSG sign a new goalkeeper this summer?

It's not even certain. I think they'll mainly be looking to strengthen their bench rather than overhaul the starting lineup. The core of this team is young, and the club wants to keep it together for several years. They'll be more focused on replacing some of the substitutes than making significant changes to their starting eleven.

Interview by Aimé Kaniki