France have announced their final 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup. They enter the tournament as one of the World Cup favorites and have a big surprise in store. The biggest surprise in this year’s squad is the absence of Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga.
Last year’s runner-up France is going to the World Cup with a strong team. The squad includes Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Oliseh, Aurelian Chowamani, N’Golo Kante, William Saliba and Theo Hernandez. Mike Mignon is in charge of the goalkeeping.
Kamavinga was a member of France’s 2022 World Cup runners-up team. He was a substitute against Argentina in that final as well. However, the 22-year-old midfielder was not included.
“It’s been a difficult season for him. He’s played less and is suffering from injuries. He came into our team at a very young age, he’s still a young player,” Deschamps said, explaining why Kamavinga was left out.
“I have to balance the team. I have to balance the defense, midfield and attack. I understand how disappointed he is tonight,” Deschamps added in a statement to Reuters.
France’s attacking division is enviable this time. Captain Mbappe, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, as well as young talents Desiree Dou, Michael Oliseh, Ryan Cherky and Magnes Akalias are also there.
The World Cup will be Didier Deschamps’ last tournament as France coach. He took over in 2012 and led France to the 2018 World Cup. In 2022, he led the team to the finals.
French media reported that Zinedine Zidane could become the country’s heir after the World Cup.
France won the World Cup on home soil in 1998 and this year in Russia, ‘Les Bleus’ will be aiming for a third World Cup title in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
France squad for World Cup
c‘Parent: Mike Mignon, Bryce Samba, Robin Reeser.
Defender: Luca Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Connet, Huels Kunde, Maxence Lecroix, William Saliba and Deot Apmecano.
Midfielder: N’Golo Conte, Manu Kono, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelian Choumane and Warren Zaire-Emery.
Assault: Magnus Akalias, Bradley Barkola, Ryan Sharkey, Ousmane Dembele, Desiree Dou, Jean-Philippe Meteta, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olich and Marcos Thuram.
