France’s national football team, under the guidance of head coach Didier Deschamps, is poised to showcase its formidable talent at the upcoming World Cup. As the tournament approaches, the coach has unveiled a 26-man squad featuring standout players, including PSG star Kylian Mbappe, who is expected to lead the team’s attacking charge.
Deschamps, who previously led France to a World Cup victory in 2018, has made a selection that balances experience with fresh talent. Among the notable inclusions is goalkeeper Robin Risser from Lens, whose performances this season have prompted Deschamps to reward him with a call-up. Risser has emerged as one of the standout goalkeepers in Ligue 1, earning accolades for his pivotal role in fortifying Lens’s defense, which currently ranks as one of the league’s best. He will serve as a reliable backup option to first-choice keepers Mike Maignan and Brice Samba.
As the French team looks to capture their third World Cup title, they find themselves among the favorites in the highly anticipated tournament taking place across North America from June 11 to July 19, 2026. France has been placed in Group I, where they will face off against Senegal, Iraq, and Norway in the group stage.
Despite dealing with a recent thigh injury that kept him from participating in crucial domestic matches, Mbappe remains an integral part of the French squad. His inclusion is backed by a wealth of attacking talent, featuring renowned players such as Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and emerging stars like Desire Doue, Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, and Maghnes Akliouche. Cherki, in particular, is set to make his World Cup debut following an impressive season at Manchester City.
Deschamps’s tenure as national coach has been marked by significant achievements, including the memorable 2018 title run and a subsequent journey to the final in 2022. The footballing community anticipates that former player Zinedine Zidane may take the reins following Deschamps’s departure after this tournament, although Zidane has not coached since his successful stint with Real Madrid.
The squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Brice Samba, Robin Risser.
Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde, Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano.
Midfielders: N’Golo Kante, Manu Kone, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, Warren Zaire-Emery.
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram.
With such a talented roster ready to compete, expectations are high for France as they embark on their World Cup quest, aiming to not only impress their supporters but also the global audience captivated by the sport.
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