AKP Phnom Penh, July 13, 2026 —

Cambodian Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen has expressed strong confidence in the French national football team, tipping them to lift the trophy at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In a social media post late Sunday, the veteran statesman revealed that he had sent a personal message to French President H.E. Emmanuel Macron to offer his support and well-wishes for Les Bleus.

"Aside from wishing him and his family well, I expressed my full confidence in the French football team and wished them success in lifting the 2026 World Cup trophy," Samdech Techo Hun Sen wrote, adding that he concluded his message with the rallying cry, "Vive Les Bleus!"

The Senate President noted that he and President Macron have maintained a regular, close correspondence via WhatsApp since late 2022, a personal rapport that has continued even after Samdech Techo Hun Sen stepped down as prime minister.

Accompanying his post were photos of himself holding the World Cup trophy—taken when FIFA brought the official prize to Cambodia during its 2022 Asian tour—alongside a picture of his personal football jersey adorned with his favoured number 9.

By K. Rithy Reak