Our number one speaks from experience having skippered his country in their last three major international tournaments and he is determined to ensure Didier Deschamps’ side hit the ground running when they take on Australia in their Group C opener in Kazan on Saturday (11am UK).
“It’s very important to step into the competition from the first moment and to start with a win – that gives you a lot of confidence,” said the 31-year-old, who could reach a century of caps for France during the group stage.
Hugo is filled with optimism by the quality of the current crop of French players but insists they cannot get ahead of themselves as they look to go one better than at Euro 2016, when they were beaten 1-0 after extra time in the final by Portugal.