12 juin 2026 - Phase de groupes, Match 1 : France 3-0 Autriche
Stade MetLife, New Jersey. 82 500 personnes. Premier match de la France en Coupe du monde. Ethan Loki porte le brassard de capitaine pour la première fois en Coupe du monde.
La cérémonie d'avant-match était impressionnante. Le bruit. Les drapeaux. Les projecteurs du monde entier. Mais Ethan se sentait serein. Prêt. C'était son moment.
L'Autriche adopte une stratégie défensive, campant sur ses positions, dans l'espoir de frustrer la France et d'arracher le point du match nul. Une tactique classique du petit poucet.
Mais la France avait trop de qualité.
23e minute : Ethan marque. Une superbe tête sur un centre de Théo Hernández. 1-0 pour la France.
Sa célébration était différente cette fois-ci. Il a pointé du doigt le brassard de capitaine, puis les supporters français dans les tribunes. Il s'agissait de leadership, pas seulement de buts.
Quarante-cinquième minute : Mbappé marque juste avant la mi-temps. Une contre-attaque fulgurante qui met en évidence sa vitesse effrayante. 2-0.
Soixante-septième minute : Thuram inscrit un troisième but. 3-0.
Professionnel. Dominant. Exactement ce dont la France avait besoin.
Score final : France 3-0 Autriche
Lors de l'interview d'après-match, les journalistes ont posé des questions sur le capitanat.
« Quel effet cela fait-il de diriger l'équipe de France lors d'une Coupe du Monde ? »
« C'est le plus grand honneur de ma carrière. En 2018, j'étais un gamin qui suivait Griezmann et Kanté. Maintenant, je suis le leader. Cette responsabilité me pousse à m'améliorer chaque jour. »
Réponse parfaite. Confiant sans être arrogant.
18 juin - Phase de groupes, 2e match : France 4-1 Jamaïque
Stade Arrowhead, Kansas City. Deuxième match de poule de la France contre la Jamaïque, une équipe qualifiée via la CONCACAF mais nettement surclassée.
L'issue du match n'a jamais fait de doute.
Ethan a marqué à la neuvième minute, puis à la trente-quatrième, avant de réaliser un triplé à la cinquante-sixième.
Mbappé a inscrit un quatrième but à la soixante-dix-huitième minute. La Jamaïque a marqué un but de consolation à la quatre-vingt-neuvième minute.
Score final : France 4-1 Jamaïque
Trois buts. Un triplé. La France est déjà qualifiée pour les huitièmes de finale alors qu'il lui reste un match de groupe.
Le bilan d'Ethan en Coupe du Monde : 4 buts en 2 matchs. Il était en pleine forme.
24 juin - Phase de groupes, 3e match : France 2-2 Mexique
Stade SoFi, Los Angeles. Dernier match de poule. La France est déjà qualifiée, mais cette rencontre allait déterminer le vainqueur du groupe.
Le Mexique avait besoin d'une victoire pour assurer sa qualification. Ils ont adopté une approche agressive, exerçant un pressing haut et prenant des risques.
Quinzième minute : Le Mexique marque ! Un but magnifique de son capitaine, « Chucky » Lozano. 1-0 pour le Mexique.
La foule pro-Mexique — au moins 70 000 des 80 000 spectateurs présents — est devenue complètement folle.
34e minute : Ethan égalise. Une finition clinique après le centre de Mbappé. 1-1.
56e minute : Le Mexique reprend l'avantage. Une erreur défensive française permet à « Memo » Ochoa de marquer sur corner. 2-1 Mexique.
The match was slipping away. Deschamps made attacking substitutions. France threw everything forward.
Eighty-ninth minute: Ethan scored again. A brilliant individual goal where he beat three defenders. 2-2.
The match ended in a draw. France topped Group D on goal difference, but the performance was concerning. They'd been outplayed by Mexico for long stretches.
After the match, Deschamps gathered the team.
"That was sloppy. Unacceptable. From now on, we're in knockout football. One mistake and we're going home. I need better."
Everyone nodded. The wake-up call was necessary.
June 29th - Round of 16: France 3-1 South Korea
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta. France vs South Korea in the Round of 16. Korea had shocked everyone by topping their group, eliminating Portugal in the process.
The match was tense. Korea defended brilliantly, frustrated France for sixty-seven minutes.
Then Ethan took over.
Sixty-seventh minute: He scored with a moment of pure brilliance. Beat two defenders, finished clinically. 1-0 France.
Seventy-eighth minute: Korea equalized. Son Heung-min with a stunning free kick. 1-1.
The match seemed destined for extra time.
Eighty-ninth minute: Ethan scored again. Another moment of individual genius. 2-1 France.
Ninety-second minute: Mbappé sealed it on the counter. 3-1.
France were through to the quarterfinals. But they'd been pushed to the limit by Korea.
Ethan's World Cup tally: 8 goals in 4 matches
July 4th - Quarterfinal: France 2-1 Brazil (AET)
Gillette Stadium, Boston. July 4th—Independence Day in America. France vs Brazil in the quarterfinal. The match everyone had been waiting for.
Brazil's squad was incredible: Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Raphinha, Bruno Guimarães, Éder Militão. A perfect blend of flair and steel.
The match was a tactical chess battle. Both teams defending well, neither willing to make mistakes.
Forty-fifth minute: Brazil scored just before halftime. Vinícius with a brilliant solo goal. 1-0 Brazil.
France went into the break trailing for the first time in the tournament.
Deschamps' halftime talk was direct: "We're France. We're the defending champions. We don't lose to Brazil. Show some pride."
Sixty-seventh minute: Ethan equalized. A header from Theo Hernández's cross. 1-1.
The match went to extra time. Both teams exhausted. Both pushing for the winner.
One hundred and eighth minute: Ethan delivered.
Mbappé's brilliant run down the left wing. His cross found Ethan at the penalty spot. Impossible angle. Two Brazilian defenders closing down.
Ethan struck it with the outside of his right foot. The ball curved wickedly, dipping at the last second.
Top corner. Unstoppable.
2-1 France.
They held on for the final twelve minutes of extra time. When the referee blew, France had beaten Brazil. They were through to the semifinals.
Ethan's World Cup tally: 10 goals in 5 matches
July 9th - Semifinal: France 1-0 Spain
NRG Stadium, Houston. France vs Spain in the semifinal. Spain—the Euro 2024 runners-up—playing beautiful possession football.
The match was brutal. Spain dominated possession—sixty-eight percent—but France defended with incredible discipline.
Seventy-eighth minute: The only goal of the match.
A France corner. Chaos in the Spanish box. The ball bounced around like a pinball. Fell to Ethan three yards from goal.
He struck it with his left foot. Unai Simón, Spain's goalkeeper, got a hand to it.
Not enough. The ball crossed the line.
1-0 France.
They held on for twelve more agonizing minutes plus stoppage time. When the referee blew the final whistle, France were through to the World Cup final.
Ethan's World Cup tally: 11 goals in 6 matches
He was tied for the tournament's leading scorer with England's Harry Kane, who'd also reached the final.
July 14th - The Build-Up
Bastille Day. July 14th, 2026. The World Cup final was five days away. The date was symbolic—France's national day, and France were about to play in the World Cup final.
The French media went insane. Every newspaper. Every TV channel. Every social media platform. All discussing one topic: could France win their third World Cup?
Ethan did his mandatory press conference on July 14th at France's team hotel in New York.
"Ethan, you're one goal away from tying Ronaldo's single-tournament World Cup record of twelve goals. Do you care about individual records?"
"Of course I care. I'm competitive. But team success comes first. If we win the final and I score zero goals, I'll be thrilled. If we lose and I score four, I'll be devastated."
"England's defense has been the best in the tournament. How do you plan to break them down?"
"By being better than them. It's that simple. We have the quality. We have the experience. We just need to execute."
"This is your second World Cup final. Does it feel different from 2022?"
"Completely different. In 2022, I was twenty-three, following Griezmann's leadership. Now I'm the captain. I'm the leader. That responsibility changes everything."
After the press conference, Ethan called Sofia.
"How are you feeling?" she asked immediately.
"Nervous. Excited. Ready."
"The baby kicked for the first time today."
Ethan felt his chest tighten. "Really?"
"Really. I wish you were here to feel it."
"Five more days. Win the World Cup. Then I'm coming home and I'm not leaving your side until the baby's born."
"Deal. Now go win a World Cup. Make our baby proud."
July 19th, 2026 - WORLD CUP FINAL: FRANCE VS ENGLAND
MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. 82,500 people. Another billion watching worldwide. France vs England for the World Cup.
The pre-match atmosphere was electric. Both sets of fans creating an incredible noise. The global spotlight on this one match.
France's lineup:
GK: Maignan DEF: Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Theo Hernández MID: Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Rabiot FWD: Dembélé, ETHAN LOKI (C), Mbappé
England's lineup:
GK: Pickford DEF: Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw MID: Rice, Bellingham, Foden FWD: Saka, HARRY KANE (C), Sterling
Two captains. Two legends. Two teams desperate for glory.
The referee—an Argentine named Facundo Tello—blew his whistle.
KICKOFF.
First Half - Tactical Chess
England set up defensively, sitting deep, daring France to break them down. Gareth Southgate's pragmatic approach—defend first, attack on the counter.
France dominated possession but struggled to create clear chances. England's defense was impenetrable.
Twenty-third minute: England had the first real chance. Kane's header from a corner. Maignan saved brilliantly.
Thirty-fourth minute: France responded. Ethan received the ball at the edge of the box, turned, and shot. Pickford saved.
The match was tense. Neither team willing to make mistakes.
Forty-fifth minute: Just before halftime, France struck.
Mbappé's brilliant run down the left wing. He beat Kyle Walker with pure pace—something nobody did—and crossed low into the box.
Ethan arrived at the perfect moment. Simple tap-in from three yards.
1-0 FRANCE.
The French section of MetLife Stadium erupted. Ethan ran toward them, arms spread wide, screaming. This was it. Thirty-two more minutes from immortality.
Halftime arrived with France leading 1-0. They were forty-five minutes from winning the World Cup.
Second Half - England's Response
England came out desperate in the second half. They pushed higher, pressed more aggressively, took more risks.
Fifty-sixth minute: It paid off.
A brilliant England move. Rice to Bellingham to Foden. Quick passing that sliced through France's midfield. Foden crossed low.
Kane arrived at the penalty spot. Maignan couldn't stop it.
1-1.
The England section went absolutely insane. The match was level. Everything to play for.
The next twenty minutes were chaos. Both teams attacking relentlessly. Chances at both ends. The crowd on their feet.
Seventy-eighth minute: France retook the lead.
A moment of pure magic from Ethan.
He received the ball thirty yards from goal. Three England defenders immediately closed him down—they'd been instructed not to give him space.
But Ethan didn't need space. He only needed three moves ahead.
He dropped his shoulder. Beat the first defender with a step-over. Nutmegged the second. Curled a shot past the third.
The ball flew toward goal. Pickford dove. Got a hand to it.
Not enough.
Top corner. Unstoppable.
2-1 FRANCE.
The goal was outrageous. A World Cup final. Twelve minutes left. Under immense pressure. And he delivered pure brilliance.
Ethan ran toward the French fans, shirt off, screaming at the sky. This was redemption. This was leadership. This was greatness.
His teammates mobbed him. Mbappé was screaming in his ear. Theo Hernández was crying. Even Maignan sprinted up from his goal to celebrate.
Ten minutes plus stoppage time left. France just needed to hold on.
The Final Minutes
England threw everything forward. Five attackers. Desperate. Furious. So close to glory.
Eighty-ninth minute: Kane had a header from six yards. Maignan saved heroically.
Ninety-second minute: Foden struck from distance. Hit the post.
Ninety-fifth minute: Bellingham shot from the edge of the box. Deflected wide.
France were defending for their lives. Every French player in their own half. England camped in France's penalty area.
The referee looked at his watch. Six minutes of stoppage time. Surely it was almost over.
Then, in the ninety-seventh minute, disaster.
An England corner. Bodies everywhere. The ball came in. Stones rose highest.
His header was perfect. Powerful. On target.
But Ethan—somehow defending in his own six-yard box—threw his body in front of it. The ball hit him and deflected wide.
Heroic defending from the captain.
The corner was cleared. France counter-attacked. Mbappé broke free down the left wing. Just him and the England goalkeeper.
He could have shot. Should have shot.
But he looked to his right and saw Ethan arriving.
The pass across the six-yard box was perfect. Ethan side-footed it into the empty net.
3-1 FRANCE.
Game over. The World Cup was won.
Ethan didn't celebrate. He just stood there, arms raised, tears streaming down his face. Eight years ago, at eighteen, he'd won as a talented teenager. Now, at twenty-seven, he'd won as France's captain.
The referee blew the final whistle seconds later.
FULL TIME. FRANCE 3-1 ENGLAND.
FRANCE WERE WORLD CHAMPIONS. AGAIN.
The Celebration
Ethan collapsed to his knees at the final whistle, sobbing uncontrollably. Mbappé pulled him up, both of them screaming, jumping, celebrating.
This was it. The pinnacle. Leading France to World Cup glory. Scoring a brace in the final. Completing his legacy.
The trophy presentation was surreal. Ethan climbed the steps to the podium as France's captain. FIFA's president handed him the World Cup trophy.
He lifted it. Eighty-two thousand people screaming. Fireworks exploding. Confetti raining down.
This was what football looked like at its absolute peak. Pure joy. Pure triumph. Pure immortality.
Post-Match
The mixed zone was chaos. Every journalist in the world trying to get quotes from France's heroes.
Ethan, with the captain's armband still on and tears still in his eyes, faced the cameras.
"Ethan, you scored two goals including the winner. How does it feel?"
"It feels like everything I've ever worked for. Leading France to World Cup glory as captain. This was my dream since I was a kid."
"You're now a two-time World Cup winner at twenty-seven. Where does this rank in your achievements?"
"This is number one. Above everything. Above all the Champions Leagues, all the Ballon d'Ors, everything. This is the greatest moment of my career."
« Tu as marqué douze buts dans le tournoi, battant le record de Ronaldo. Est-ce que ça a de l'importance pour toi ? »
« Bien sûr que ça compte. Mais ce qui compte encore plus, c'est ceci… » Il brandit le trophée de la Coupe du monde. « …c'est ce dont je me souviendrai pour toujours. »
« Dernière question : vous avez tout gagné. Que reste-t-il à faire ? »
Ethan sourit à travers ses larmes. « Plus de Coupes du monde. Plus de Ligues des champions. Plus de Ballons d'Or. Et être le meilleur père possible. Ma femme est enceinte. Notre bébé est prévu pour février. C'est mon prochain chapitre. »
Réponse parfaite. Complète. Honnête. Humaine.
20 juillet - Le lendemain matin
Ethan s'est réveillé dans sa chambre d'hôtel à New York à 11h47. Le trophée de la Coupe du monde trônait sur la table basse ; c'était à son tour de le garder pendant la nuit.
Son téléphone contenait des milliers de messages. Mais l'un d'eux se démarquait :
Sofia : Tu l'as fait ! Tu l'as vraiment fait ! Je suis tellement fière de toi que je n'arrête pas de pleurer. Rentre à la maison. Le bébé et moi, tu nous manques. Je t'aimerai toujours.
Il a répondu : Je rentre à la maison aujourd'hui. Je ne vous quitterai plus jamais. Je vous aime tous les deux.
Puis il a appelé ses parents.
« MON FILS EST CHAMPION DE LA COUPE DU MONDE ! » hurla son père au téléphone. « ENCORE ! »
Sa mère pleurait. « Je suis si fière. Tellement fière. Ta grand-mère aurait été si fière aussi. »
Ils ont parlé pendant une heure du match, des buts, de ce que cela signifiait de gagner en tant que capitaine.
Puis Ethan a raccroché et est resté assis là, à contempler le trophée de la Coupe du monde, essayant de comprendre.
Statistiques de la finale de la Coupe du monde 2026 :
12 buts (record du tournoi), Meilleur buteur, Meilleur joueur du tournoi, A mené la France à sa troisième Coupe du monde
Réalisations professionnelles à 27 ans :
7 Ligues des champions, 6 titres de champion d'Espagne, 2 Coupes du monde (2018, 2026) , 1 Championnat d'Europe, 4 Ballons d'Or, 585 buts en carrière
Et un cinquième Ballon d'Or allait certainement arriver en novembre.
Trois coups à l'avance, Ethan pouvait voir clairement son avenir :
Première étape : remporter un cinquième Ballon d'Or. Égaler Cristiano Ronaldo.
Deuxième étape : Sois un père formidable. Élève son enfant avec Sofia.
Troisième étape : Continuez à jouer. Continuez à gagner. Poursuivez les huit Ballons d'Or de Messi.
Mais pour l'instant, en ce matin qui suivait la plus belle soirée de sa carrière, Ethan Loki s'autorisait simplement à être heureux.
Il avait accompli l'impossible. Il avait mené la France à la victoire en Coupe du monde. Il avait battu des records. Il était entré dans l'histoire.
Et ce n'était que le début.
Fin du chapitre 69
COUPE DU MONDE 2026 - COMPLÈTE :
🏆 FRANCE - CHAMPIONS DU MONDE 🥇 Ethan Loki - MVP du tournoi et Soulier d'or (12 buts)
Statistiques du tournoi :
7 matchs joués, 12 buts marqués (RECORD), 3 passes décisives, capitaine de l'équipe de France
Ma carrière actuelle (27 ans) :
2 Coupes du monde ⭐⭐ 7 Ligues des champions 6 Ligas 1 Euro 4 Ballons d'Or (le 5e sera décerné en novembre) 585 buts en carrière