Deschamps Announces France’s 26‑Man Squad for the 2026 World Cup

Didier Deschamps, coach of the French national team, has released the 26‑player squad for the upcoming World Cup.

The roster features Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, who will lead France’s attack.

Mbappé’s 56 goals place him second only to Olivier Giroud’s 57 for France, and he is expected to captain the side despite a recent thigh injury.

Dembélé, who scored 35 goals and won the Champions League with Paris St. Germain last season, is the second French player of this century to win the Ballon d’Or, though he has yet to score in a World Cup after appearing in the previous two tournaments.

The attack is rounded out by Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, PSG’s Desire Doue, Man City playmaker Rayan Cherki, and Arsenal defender William Saliba. These four are among seven Premier League players in the squad.

Full‑back Lucas Hernandez and midfielder N’Golo Kante are the only other players from France’s 2018 World Cup‑winning squad still in the lineup.

Deschamps, who led France to consecutive World Cup finals, has made a number of surprising choices for his last major tournament as head coach.

The squad does not include Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga or Tottenham Hotspur striker Randal Kolo Muani, who both played in 2022.

PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier is omitted, while the uncapped Lens keeper Robin Risser joins Brice Samba as the second choice behind Mike Maignan.

Liverpool’s Huge Ekitike, who suffered a season‑ending Achilles injury in April, is also missing from the squad.

France opens its campaign against Senegal in New Jersey on 16 June, then plays Iraq on 22 June and Norway on 26 June.

France squad:

Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (Lens), Brice Samba (Rennes) Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (Paris St‑Germain), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamenaco (Bayern Munich) Midfielders: N’Golo Kante (Fenerbahçe), Manu Kone (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire‑Emery (Paris St‑Germain) Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (Paris St‑Germain), Rayan Cherki (Man City), Ousmane Dembélé (Paris St‑Germain), Desire Doue (Paris St‑Germain), Michael Olise