Didier Deschamps has announced his squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, where France will take on Iraq, Norway and Senegal in Group I.
“There are expectations and demands, of course,” said Deschamps to TFI. “That’s also our fault, because if we are where we are today, it’s because we’ve won a lot of matches — more than our opponents. That we are among the favourites is only natural, but there are other teams too. I could name six or seven. This is a World Cup, the biggest competition of them all. The very best teams are there.”
Although there was little suspense or mystery surrounding the choices of Deschamps — who is set to lead Les Bleus in his third consecutive FIFA World Cup finals — a few positions were still causing some uncertainty, notably the role of third-choice goalkeeper. In the end, 21-year-old RC Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser – recently voted Ligue 1’s Best goalkeeper at the UNFP Awards – has been selected behind the unbeatable duo of Mike Maignan and Brice Samba.
Up front, some doubts also remained following Hugo Ekitike’s Achilles tendon rupture, which ruled him out of the tournament. Jean-Philippe Mateta returns to the attack, having featured in three qualifiers and scored two goals. Goalscorer in the 2-0 semi-final win over Morocco at Qatar 2022, Randal Kolo Muani misses out this time after a disappointing season for Tottenham Hotspur, unlike Maxence Lacroix, who impressed during the last camp.
Meanwhile, Bradley Barcola, Manu Kone and Jules Kounde, who were absent through injury for the March matches against Brazil and Colombia, are back.
“I’m very happy. It’s obviously a huge source of pride to be called up to the national team for the World Cup,” said Kone to TF1. “I hope we’ll have a great tournament, especially for the coach. I’m thinking back to when I was a kid… This is very good news. It’s something I had been waiting for for a very long time. When you’re young, you dream about this. I’m thinking about my family and my friends who are following the squad announcement. It’s a joy for everyone.”
As for the rest, the French tactician will be able to count on all the best talent his country has to offer. The most recent winner of The Best FIFA Men’s Player award, Ousmane Dembele, will be in the squad, as will Kylian Mbappe, who is chasing major records in North America, plus phenomenon Michael Olise and Paris Saint-Germain prodigy Desire Doue.
Doue showed no fear last year at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, from which he walked away with the FIFA Best Young Player Award presented by Panini.
France’s World Cup squad
Mike Maignan
Robin Risser
Brice Samba
Lucas Digne
Malo Gusto
Lucas Hernandez
Theo Hernandez
Ibrahima Konate
Jules Kounde
Maxence Lacroix
William Saliba
Dayot Upamecano
N’Golo Kante
Manu Kone
Adrien Rabiot
Aurelien Tchouameni
Warren Zaire-Emery
Maghnes Akliouche
Bradley Barcola
Rayan Cherki
Ousmane Dembele
Desire Doue
Jean-Philippe Mateta
Kylian Mbappe
Michael Olise
Marcus Thuram
All squads are provisional until the final list of 26 players is announced by FIFA, following their submission by participating teams, on 2 June.
