Roma working to renew contracts for all out-of-contract players

France head coach Didier Deschamps has announced his 26-player squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada starting 11 June. AS Roma midfielder Manu Koné has been selected among the nominees. The squad includes several notable inclusions and some high-profile absences, with only four players based in Italian clubs named in the full roster. Koné's inclusion represents recognition of his development at Roma, where he has become an established midfielder. The France squad, led by stars including Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), features a mix of experience and youth as Les Bleus look to build on their strong recent tournament record. The side won the World Cup in 2018 and reached the final in 2022 before losing to Argentina. The squad spans multiple top European clubs, with representation from Paris Saint-Germain (five players), Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and others. Details on Koné's prospects for tournament selection and his role in the final squad remain unclear at this stage.

AS Roma has agreed on the date and time for the upcoming Derby della Capitale against SS Lazio. The club is in negotiations with Paulo Dybala's agent regarding a contract renewal. Donyell Malen has completed his transfer to Roma and is now a Giallorossi player. These developments represent significant progress on multiple fronts for the club as it manages squad matters and prepares for the rivalry fixture. The exact details of the derby scheduling, Dybala's contract terms, and Malen's transfer fee remain unclear.

Roma defenders Gianluca Mancini and Lorenzo Pellegrini have been preparing for the upcoming Derby della Capitale by dining out at a well-known fish restaurant owned by Gianni Micalusi. During the meal, both players participated in a superstitious ritual by touching the restaurant owner's belly—a gesture the pair have reportedly performed on multiple occasions before. The players shared a post on social media with the caption "Ready for the derby," signaling their mental preparation for the capital city's biggest match. The derby between Roma and Lazio typically dominates conversation across Rome in the lead-up to the fixture, becoming a primary topic of discussion on social media and among fans and colleagues. This year's edition comes amid some organizational chaos regarding the match's scheduled date and time, with local authorities handling decisions on those details. Nevertheless, the intensity and importance of the Giallorossi's preparation—including these superstitious traditions—underscores how significant the derby remains for the club's players. Such pre-match rituals are common among footballers seeking mental edge or confidence before high-pressure fixtures. Mancini and Pellegrini's repeated visits to the same restaurant and their participation in the touching ritual demonstrate the psychological importance both players place on the contest ahead.