France fielded a talent-laden squad for the upcoming World Cup on Thursday, although one big name was missing from Didier Deschamps’ final selection – Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga. Ranked No. 1 in the latest FIFA Men’s World Rankings, France enter the tournament as one of the strongest contenders.
COVERAGE OF THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP
Captain Kylian Mbappe headlines the team alongside attacking stars Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise. Aurelien Tchouameni and veteran N’Golo Kante will appear in midfield, while William Saliba, Jules Kounde and Theo Hernandez will appear in defence. Mike Maignan will serve as the team’s first goalie.
Despite being part of France’s second squad for the 2022 World Cup and featuring in March’s internationals, Camavinga failed to make the final 26-man squad. At club level, he has recently fallen behind Thiago Pitarch in the Real Madrid midfield pecking order.
“He had a difficult season where he played less. He also had injuries,” Deschamps said, according to Reuters. “It is true that he is a player who came with us very early. He is still a young player.
“Because I have a choice, the composition of the squad has to be balanced between defenders, midfielders and forwards. But I understand that and I imagine his huge disappointment tonight.
Deschamps selected Brice Samba and Robin Risser as Maignan’s replacements, with the latter earning plaudits after an impressive Ligue 1 campaign. Their inclusion meant there was no place for Lucas Chevalier, who lost his starting role at Paris Saint-Germain to Matvei Safonov earlier this year.
France will play warm-up matches against Ivory Coast and Northern Ireland before heading to their World Cup training base in Boston. Their Group I campaign begins against Senegal on June 16, followed by matches against Iraq on June 22 and Norway on June 26.
Other notable omissions included Tottenham forward Randal Kolo Muani and Rennes forward Esteban Lepaul, who finished as Ligue 1’s top scorer this season. Meanwhile, Jean-Philippe Mateta earned a recall despite missing March’s friendlies while recovering from a knee injury. He is expected to help cover the absence of Hugo Ekitike, who has been ruled out by a ruptured Achilles tendon.
The tournament is also expected to commemorate Deschamps’ World Cup finals in charge of France. The manager led Les Bleus to World Cup glory in 2018 and is widely tipped to hand over the reins to French icon Zinedine Zidane after the competition. France previously lifted the trophy on home soil in 1998 as well.
FRANCE 2026 WORLD CUP SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Robin Risser, Brice Samba
Defenders: Malo Gusto, Maxence Lacroix, Jules Kounde, Lucas Digne, Ibrahima Konate, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez
Midfielders: Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot, N’Golo Kante, Manu Kone, Warren Zaire-Emery
Forwards: Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Rayan Cherki, Marcus Thuram, Maghnes Akliouche, Desire Doue, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise
– The end
Published on:
15 May 2026 08:56 IST
