France Manager Didier Deschamps Reveals FIFA World Cup Squad, Excludes High-Profile Players
New Delhi: France manager Didier Deschamps announced his squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday, making notable omissions, including Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga. Camavinga, who played a role in France’s journey to the final in the previous World Cup in Qatar, was excluded due to injuries and limited playing time at the club level.
The 23-year-old midfielder appeared as a substitute in the final against Argentina but has struggled in the current season. Deschamps provided insight into his decision, stating, “He had a difficult season for himself where he played less. He also had injuries. It’s true that he’s a player who came very early with us. He is still a young player. Because I have choices to make the squad structure also has to be even among the defenders, the midfielders and the forwards. But I understand and I imagine his enormous disappointment this evening.”
Another significant absence is Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, who has fallen out of favor at club level. Chevalier has not played since January and lost his position to Matvei Safonov. Deschamps noted the lack of recent playing time was a key factor in this decision: “The main criteria is sporting performance. I understand that Lucas Chevalier may be disappointed, but he hasn’t played for several months. At the time when he could have had some playing time, he didn’t get any.”
Unexpectedly, Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser secured a place in the squad following an impressive Ligue 1 season, where he contributed to one of the league’s strongest defensive records and earned accolades as the division’s best goalkeeper.
Deschamps emphasized the need for humility as France prepares for the tournament, acknowledging their status as one of the favorites for the title. The squad includes star players like Kylian Mbappé, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, along with emerging talents such as Désiré Doué, Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, and Maghnes Akliouche. “I have ambition, and I want the players to have it too. But I don’t want us to lose our humility. I’m not going to hide and say we’re not among the teams with the potential to become world champions. But there are eight, maybe 10 teams that can say that. It’s not by shouting: ‘We’re the best, we’re the strongest,’” Deschamps remarked.
France will compete in Group I alongside Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. This tournament will also mark Deschamps’ final appearance as the head coach of the national team before his anticipated departure post-World Cup.
France World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Brice Samba, Robin Risser.
Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernández, Theo Hernández, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano.
Midfielders: N’Golo Kanté, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Warren Zaïre-Emery.
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram.
