Didier Deschamps announces France's World Cup squad under Mbappe
Didier Deschamps, the coach of the French national football team, revealed on Thursday the "Roosters" squad participating in the 2026 World Cup finals, which witnessed a surprise with the exclusion of Eduardo Camavinga, the midfielder of the Spanish team Real Madrid.
There were no other surprises in the 26-man squad, which includes 10 players who featured in the last World Cup final in Qatar four years ago, while Lucas Hernandez, N'Golo Kante and Kylian Mbappe remain from the team that won in Moscow in 2018.
At the top of the list of runners-up of the previous edition in Qatar 2022 will be Ousmane Dembele, who was crowned the best player in the world, and Michael Ulysses, the star of the German team Bayern Munich.
Meanwhile, new players have joined the list, most notably Lens goalkeeper Robin Reiser, based on his outstanding performances with his team, and the 21-year-old was named the best goalkeeper in the French league earlier this week.
Riser received his first call-up at the expense of Lucas Chevalier, who was expected to feature but was ignored after losing his place in the Paris Saint-Germain starting line-up and picking up an injury.
Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Matita, who made his debut last October, was chosen to replace Hugo Ekitike, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon while playing for Liverpool against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last month.
France squad
The squad in goalkeeping included: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Reiser (Lance) and Bryce Samba (Rennes).
Defenders: Lucas Dine (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (Paris Saint-Germain), Theo Hernandez (Al-Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Maxine Lacroix (Crystal Palace), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich).
Midfielders: N'Golo Kante (Fenerbahce), Manu Kony (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren-Zaire Emery (Paris Saint-Germain).
Forwards: Magnus Akliush (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Ryan Sharqi (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain), Desiree Doi (Paris Saint-Germain), Jean-Philippe Matita (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Michael Olis (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).
France in a fiery group at the 2026 World Cup
The French national team will play in Group I at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, along with Senegal, Iraq and Norway.
France Group Stage Schedule:
France × Senegal — Tuesday 16 June 2026
10:00 PM Makkah time
MetLife Stadium – New Jersey
France × Iraq — Monday 22 June 2026
12:00 midnight (Tuesday morning)
Lincoln Financial Field – Pennsylvania
Norway × France — Friday 26 June 2026
10:00 PM Makkah time
Gillette Stadium – Boston/Massachusetts