“France has every chance to win the World Cup”

Although initially he seemed reluctant towards Eastern Europe, Sivis confesses that the decision to come to Romania took shape quickly. The club offered him a few days in Bucharest to form an impression, and the hours spent in the capital were enough for him to feel “at home”.

The traffic, the urban rhythm, the vibrancy of the place and the warmth of the people awakened an almost French familiarity in him, which made him talk about “Little Paris” without hesitation. The fit was immediate and surprisingly natural, despite the fact that he had previously focused his entire career and attention on football in France.

As for the Rooster's World Cup outlook, Sivis sees France as one of the big favorites for the 2026 World Cup. The current generation of the Hexagon squad inspires confidence through individual quality, leadership and continuity. At the same time, he retains a touch of football idealism, hoping that Congo will also make a good final tournament, being of Congolese origin.

• Divided into Group I, France debuts at WC 2026 on Tuesday, June 16, from 22:00 in the company of Senegal. Norway and Iraq complete the group.

• DR Congo will perform in Group K, alongside Colombia, Uzbekistan and Portugal, the group with which it will debut in the final tournament, on Tuesday, June 17, from 22:00.

• GSP launched the “World Soccer, Super League Hearts” project, a set of articles that brings forward foreign players who have played in the Super League, talking with emotion and passion about each motherland.

• The other episodes can be read here.

Maxime Sivis: “France has a lot of quality and good leadership”

“I think France has every chance to win the World Cup again. We see the generations coming from behind, who are already there, they have a lot of quality and good leadership. We have seen this in previous final tournament editions as well.

So I think he has every chance. But I hope that Congo will also make a very nice figure, I really want that very much.“, Maxime Sivis sent for Gazeta Sporturilor.

• France participated for the first time in a World Championship in 1930, the first edition. Since then, “Les Bleus” have only missed out on the 1950, 1962, 1990 and 1994 editions.

• The “Cocoșului Galic” team is world champion in 1998 and 2018, world vice-champion in 2006 and 2022, in probably the most beautiful final in the history of the competition.

• In 1958 and 1986, France got the “bronze”, and in 1982 they lost the small final.

Before arriving at Dinamo, Maxime Sivis played for Angers B, Quevilly Rouen, Concarneau, Red Star and Guingamp. He is in Romania from the summer of 2024.

Honestly, I didn't expect to come here at first. It is true that I had a rather limited view of the Eastern countries. But the club granted me the right to visit the capital and the country for a few days, to see how I feel here, and honestly, after an hour in Bucharest I felt at home.

People are welcoming and I often feel like I'm in France. It gives me the impression that I am in «Little Paris»: there are many traffic jams just like in Paris, it is the capital and it is full of life. When I got here it was summer, so it was hot. I immediately got into the rhythm. That's why I didn't even hesitate. From the moment I set foot in Bucharest, I didn't hesitate for a second.

To be honest, I didn't know much about Romania before I came here. Almost nothing. I won't lie, I was focused on France because I always played in France, so I wasn't very open, let's say, to other countries, especially to Eastern countries. But I was very impressed when I discovered this country.

– Maxime Sivis, Dinamo defender