As football fans across the globe gear up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, France head coach Didier Deschamps has confirmed his 26-man squad for the tournament, marking his final major international selection before stepping away from the role. The four-time World Cup winning manager’s roster holds few surprises, built around tactical cohesion rather than simply picking the 26 highest-rated individual players, he explained.
Kylian Mbappe, the team’s star captain-elect, will lead Les Bleus into the tournament despite sustaining a thigh injury last month that forced him to sit out critical late-season fixtures for Real Madrid in La Liga. The 27-year-old frontman will spearhead one of the most exciting attacking lines in the competition, joined by reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Paris Saint-Germain’s rising star Desire Doue, and Bayern Munich dynamic winger Michael Olise. 22-year-old playmaker Rayan Cherki, who turned in a standout debut season at Manchester City in the Premier League, will make his first World Cup appearance for France.
In defense, Arsenal’s William Saliba, who has cemented his status as one of the league’s top center-backs, will bring solidity to the French backline, widely expected to line up alongside Bayern Munich and Bundesliga champion Dayot Upamecano in the heart of defense. Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate and Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix have also earned selection to Deschamps’ defensive cohort.
Only four players – Mbappe, Dembele, full-back Lucas Hernandez and midfielder N’Golo Kante – remain from Deschamps’ 2018 World Cup-winning squad that lifted the trophy in Russia. Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser is the only uncapped player called up to this year’s roster.
Several high-profile players have missed out on selection, headlined by Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga and Paris Saint-Germain shot-stopper Lucas Chevalier. Deschamps acknowledged Camavinga’s likely disappointment, noting the midfielder struggled through an injury-hit season with limited minutes at club level. Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike was also forced to rule out of contention after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in April.
Speaking to reporters after the announcement, Deschamps reflected on his 14-year tenure in charge of the French national team, ahead of his seventh and final major tournament as head coach. “It’s been part of my life for 14 years running. But if people are worried, I’m not retiring. I’ll have a life of my own. The World Cup is the most important thing,” he said.
France will kick off their Group I campaign against Senegal on June 16, before facing off against Iraq and Norway to close out the group stage. The full squad is as follows:
**Goalkeepers**: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (Lens), Brice Samba (Rennes)
**Defenders**: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (Paris Saint-Germain), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
**Midfielders**: N’Golo Kante (Fenerbahce), Manu Kone (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
**Forwards**: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain), Desire Doue (Paris Saint-Germain), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)