France manager Didier Deschamps revealed the full list of players called up for the 2026 World Cup (co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada) on Thursday. More than one surprise in the squad.
Almost exactly one month before France’s first match in the upcoming World Cup (June 16 vs. Senegal), we now know the full squad that will represent Les Bleus.
The French Football Federation announced the 26-player list in a very particular way, very American style, with a video showing all the called-up players at a brunch, a dinner place, a convenience store, and a barbecue.
There are surprises, not only because of names that one might have thought had their spot secured, but also because of others that were not imagined to have a place. Below, we review Deschamps’ squad.
Goalkeepers: No Lucas Chevalier
In the goal, there is a particular surprise. PSG keeper Lucas Chevalier was not called up. The 24-year-old goalkeeper arrived at the Parisian club last summer to, on paper, replace Gianluigi Donnarumma, who left for Manchester City.
In the middle of the season, head coach Luis Enrique relegated him to the bench, giving the starting role to Russian Matvey Safonov. With practically no minutes since mid-January, Deschamps ruled him out. In his place, Lens keeper Robin Risser, 21 years-old, gets a first time call-up.
Goalkeepers called up: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (RC Lens), Brice Samba (Stade Rennais).
Defenders: An Unexpected Name
In the back line, there is a particular surprise, as Deschamps decided to call up Crystal Palace center-back Maxence Lacroix.
The 26-year-old center-back has played 53 matches this season for Crystal Palace in all competitions. Perhaps the most notable name missing is Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu.
Defenders called up: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernández (PSG), Theo Hernández (Al-Hilal), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich).
Midfielders: Camavinga out, Zaïre-Emery in
The absence of Eduardo Camavinga was the big surprise in midfield. The 23-year-old player has had a very poor season with Real Madrid, just like his team in general, unlike Warren Zaïre-Emery and Manu Kone.
Zaïre-Emery is having what is, without a doubt, his best season since he made his professional debut at PSG. Kone also established himself as a key piece to keep Roma in European positions this season.
Fenerbahçe’s N’Golo Kanté also made the squad, as did the immovable Adrien Rabiot, who, despite not showing a spectacular level with his club, continues to perform under Deschamps’ direction. Another notable absence was Lyon’s Corentin Tolisso.
Midfielders called up: N’Golo Kanté (Fenerbahçe), Manu Kone (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (Milan), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG).
Forwards: The Always Reliable Kolo Muani, Out
Deschamps has always been characterized as a manager who seems to have his favorites. Those men who, regardless of their level with their clubs, seemed to always have a guaranteed spot. Rabiot is a clear example. But in the attack, the French coach decided to change things a bit.
The always reliable Randal Kolo Muani was left out. If we consider the level of the still PSG player shown this season on loan at Tottenham, the decision is understandable, but it must also be remembered that Liverpool star Hugo Ekitiké suffered an Achilles tendon injury in the Champions League in April. Although that seemed to guarantee a spot for Kolo Muani, it did not.
Now, if it was not the former Nantes player, eyes turned to Bournemouth breakthrough star Eli Junior Kroupi, who has 12 goals in 31 appearances in his first Premier League season, at just 19 years old. Well, no. He was also not called up.
Deschamps decided to call up Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who, it must be said, is not having a bad season either; on the contrary, his numbers are quite decent. France is one of the national teams with the most options on offense, so it was logical that there would be at least a couple of surprises in this area.
Forwards called up: Maghnes Akliouche (AS Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Désiré Doué (PSG), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).
