France national team coach, Didier Deschamps, has announced his nation’s 26-man roster for this summer’s World Cup.
Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d’Or winner, Ousmane Dembele are set to spearhead a talented France offense at the tournament.
Only Olivier Giroud (57) has netted more goals than Mbappe’s 56 for France, with the Real Madrid forward anticipated to lead his nation despite facing recent challenges due to a thigh injury.
Dembele, who scored 35 goals and clinched the Champions League title with Paris St-Germain last season, has become the second French player this century to receive the Ballon d’Or, yet he has not found the net in a World Cup despite being part of the last two squads.
Completing an exhilarating attacking lineup are Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise and Dembele’s PSG teammate Desire Doue, alongside Man City playmaker Rayan Cherki and Arsenal defender William Saliba, who are among seven players from the Premier League included in the squad.
Full-back Lucas Hernandez and midfielder N’Golo Kante join Mbappe and Dembele as the only remaining members from France’s victorious 2018 World Cup team.
Deschamps, who has guided France to consecutive World Cup finals, has made several unexpected selections ahead of his final major tournament as head coach.
Notably absent from the squad are Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga and Tottenham’s Randal Kolo Muani, both of whom participated in 2022.
PSG goalkeeper, Lucas Chevalier is also left out, with uncapped Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser joining Brice Samba as backup to Mike Maignan.
Liverpool’s Huge Ekitike, who sustained a season-ending Achilles injury in April, is a significant but anticipated omission.
France will kick off their campaign against Senegal in New Jersey on June 16, followed by additional Group I matches against Iraq on June 22 and Norway on June 26.
France squad:
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (Lens), Brice Samba (Rennes) Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (Paris St-Germain), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamenaco (Bayern Munich) Midfielders: N’Golo Kante (Fenerbache), Manu Kone (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris St-Germain) Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (Paris St-Germain), Rayan Cherki (Man City), Ousmane Dembele (Paris St-Germain), Desire Doue (Paris St-Germain), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Jean-Phillipe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)
