Last Updated:
Didier Deschamps names 26-man France squad for 2026 World Cup, Kylian Mbappe to captain in his final tournament, Eduardo Camavinga and Lucas Chevalier left out.
France coach Didier Deschamps (AP)
France coach Didier Deschamps unveiled his 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday, with Kylian Mbappe set to lead Les Bleus in what will be Deschamps’ final major tournament in charge. The squad combines established stars with emerging talents as France prepare for the competition in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Mbappe, who has recently recovered from a thigh injury that disrupted the end of his season with Real Madrid, is expected to captain the side. He will spearhead a formidable attacking unit that includes Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Paris Saint-Germain youngster Desire Doue, Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise and Manchester City playmaker Rayan Cherki, who is set for his World Cup debut.
While announcing the squad, Deschamps emphasised the importance of balance over individual reputation. “It’s a squad. Not necessarily the 26 best players. It’s about balance and how the team comes together,” Deschamps told French TV channel TF1.
He later added: “The overriding and essential criterion (for selection) is a sporting one.”
France, winners of the 2018 World Cup, enter the tournament as one of the favourites, though Deschamps was keen not to look too far ahead. “France are first in the FIFA rankings, but are we more favourites than Spain, Portugal, Germany, England, Argentina, Brazil, Morocco?” he said.
“I know there are expectations. But we’ll have some tough opponents in our first three matches. Let’s focus on the first one.”
The squad also includes Arsenal defender William Saliba, Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano and Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix. Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser has earned his first senior call-up after an impressive Ligue 1 campaign.
Big Stars Miss Out!
Among the notable absentees are Eduardo Camavinga and PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier. Explaining Camavinga’s omission, Deschamps said: “I can imagine how disappointed he (Camavinga) must be.”
France begin their Group I campaign against Senegal on June 16 before facing Iraq and Norway. Reflecting on his final tournament as national coach, Deschamps said: “The World Cup is the most important thing.”
France’s FIFA World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Brice Samba, Robin Risser.
Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde, Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano.
Midfielders: N’Golo Kante, Manu Kone, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, Warren Zaire-Emery.
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram.
(With inputs from Agencies)
Read More
Source link
[ad_3]
