The French national football team arrived Thursday at Bentley University to considerable fanfare, marking the start of its stay in Waltham as it prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The French team — known as “Les Bleus” for the color of their jerseys — enters the competition as one of the top contenders.

While excitement was high among onlookers, members of the public were not able to view the players. Fencing surrounding the university’s athletic fields was covered in bright blue fabric emblazoned with “Vive les Bleus,” shielding team activities from view.

Bentley will serve as the base camp for L’Équipe de France de Football throughout the tournament, providing access to its turf fields, training facilities and meeting spaces. The French Football Federation selected the university in part for its high-quality athletic infrastructure, including modern workout facilities at Bentley Arena, as well as its proximity to Gillette Stadium in nearby Foxborough.

The FIFA World Cup, the most widely viewed sporting event in the world, kicked off June 11. This year’s tournament features a record 48 national teams competing across 16 venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico over five weeks.

Gillette Stadium will host seven matches during the tournament.