Article by Alexandru Tomuțiu – Published Thursday, May 14, 2026, 9:51 p.m. / Updated Thursday, May 14, 2026, 9:55 p.m.
France coach Didier Deschamps announced this afternoon the 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup.
The big absence is that of Eduardo Camavinga, the midfielder of Real Madrid, who will not make the trip to the World Cup, as in the case of Kolo Muani, the striker of Tottenham, or Lucas Chevalier, the goalkeeper of PSG. Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser has been called up, as have striker Mateta and defender Lacroix, both from Crystal Palace.
The 2022 world runner-up and winner of the 2018 edition will be represented by stars such as Ousmane Dembele, the PSG striker, Kylian Mbappe, the top of Real Madrid, or William Saliba, the central defender of Arsenal.
France's World Cup squad
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Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (RC Lens), Brice Samba (Stade Rennais).
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defense: Lucas Digne (Everton), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Theo Hernandez (Al-Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (FC Barcelona), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich).
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midfielders: N'Golo Kante (Fenerbahce), Manu Kone (AS Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG).
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Strikers: Maghnes Akliouche (AS Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Desire Doue (PSG), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).
The coach confessed that he expects to disappoint some of the footballers: “I am in a professional environment, but I am also a human being. I am aware that I will disappoint some. But it is part of the game,” said the coach.
“The list was finalized last night,” added Deschamps, who recalled injuries and singled out one player. “My thoughts are especially with Ekitike,” he said, recalling the Liverpool striker who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon.
France are in Group I of the World Cup and will begin their journey in the competition on June 16 against Senegal. The second leg will be against Iraq, on June 22, and the third match of “les bleus” in the group stage is on the 26th, against Norway.
There is no pressure, but there is the requirement to be among the favourites, obviously. There are another six or seven selected. It's the biggest competition, the best are there. Expectations are high. France has been in the top three of the FIFA rankings for eight years.
– Didier Deschamps
