Paul Pogba keeps World Cup 2026 dream alive after doping ban reduction

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is keen to make his football comeback after his doping ban was reduced from four years to 18 months and is dreaming about playing in the 2026 World Cup. Pogba had been provisionally suspended by Italy’s National Anti-Doping Agency (NADO Italia) in September 2023 after testing positive for DHEA, a banned substance known to enhance testosterone.
Earlier this month, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced the 31-year-old’s ban. Pogba maintained that the consumption of DHEA was unintentional. He is set to return to action for Juventus in March. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the French midfielder said that while national coach Didier Deschamps hasn’t kept the door for anyone it is up to him to work and take the chance.
“The dream of the World Cup is there, but Deschamps hasn’t opened the doors for anyone. It’s up to me to open them he told me to work,” the midfielder said.
Pogba said that he is ready to return to normal in 2025 and his desire is to play football. The midfielder also said that he remains a player for Juventus for the moment. Pogba said he is ready to give up money to be back for Juve on the field.
“I am ready to return to normal in 2025. I only have one desire, to play football. The reality is that I am a Juve player and I am preparing to play for Juve,”
“I don’t have to speak, the pitch will speak and then (coach) Thiago Motta will judge with his own eyes, based on what he sees. I’m ready to give up even money to play for Juve again. I want to come back,” said Pogba.
The French midfielder said that getting the initial ban was the most toughest moment in his life. The 31-year-old said that his former and current teammates was a constant support for him during this period.
“It was a very difficult year and what hurt the most was spending every day outside the stadium and (Juventus’s training centre) Continassa taking my children to school without being able to go inside to train or play for Juventus,” said Pogba.
“Many past and current teammates have always supported me. (Juan) Cuadrado called me every other day and always made me laugh. (Paulo) Dybala sent me many messages. And then (Dusan) Vlahovic, (Weston) McKennie, (Timothy) Weah, (Moise) Kean… I didn’t expect so many.”
Pogba last played for Juventus almost a year ago.