Didier Deschamps has unveiled his 26-man France squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga and Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier headlining the surprise absentees.
Les Bleus, who finished as runners-up in 2022, are once again among the favorites heading into the tournament jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Camavinga Pays the Price for a Tough Season
The Real Madrid midfielder, who entered the 2022 final as a substitute in the defeat to Argentina, sees his World Cup hopes dashed after a campaign hampered by reduced minutes and recurring injury problems.
“He had a difficult season where he played less. He also dealt with injuries,” Deschamps said when announcing the squad on Thursday. “He’s a player who joined us very early, and he’s still young. With the choices I have to make, the balance of the squad across defenders, midfielders, and forwards has to be considered. I can imagine how disappointed he must be tonight.”
Chevalier Drops Out, Risser Rewarded
Chevalier, who lost his starting spot at PSG to Matvei Safonov and has not featured since the end of January, was another high-profile name left off the list.
“Sporting performance is the main criterion,” the France coach added. “Lucas may be disappointed, but the fact is he hasn’t played for several months. When he had chances for game time, he didn’t take them.”
Rising star Robin Risser earned his maiden call-up after a breakthrough campaign with Lens. The young goalkeeper, named Ligue 1’s best shot-stopper earlier this week, helped his club register the second-best defensive record in the French top flight. He joins Mike Maignan and Brice Samba in the goalkeeping department as the third-choice option.
Loaded Attack Headlines the Squad
France travels to North America with one of the deepest attacking units in the tournament, featuring Kylian Mbappé, Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, and Maghnes Akliouche.
“I have ambition, and I want the players to share it,” Deschamps stated. “But we can’t lose our humility. I’m not going to pretend we’re not among the teams capable of becoming world champions. But there are eight, maybe ten teams who can say the same. You don’t win it by shouting that you’re the strongest.”
Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta also makes the cut, getting the nod ahead of Randal Kolo Muani. The Tottenham striker had been a late addition to France’s squad four years ago, scoring against Morocco in the semifinals before coming inches away from a winning goal in the 2022 final, which France lost to Argentina on penalties.
Lens winger Florian Thauvin, one of five nominees for Ligue 1’s Player of the Season, was another notable omission.
Deschamps’ Farewell Tournament
This World Cup will close the book on Deschamps’ time as France manager. He confirmed earlier this year that he would step down after the tournament, ending a remarkable tenure that began in 2012 and delivered the 2018 World Cup along with the 2022 runner-up finish.
Zinedine Zidane is widely expected to take over, although the former Real Madrid boss has been out of the dugout since the end of his second spell at the Bernabéu, where he won three Champions League titles and two La Liga crowns.
France has been drawn into Group I and will face Senegal, Iraq, and Norway during the group stage.
France’s 2026 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