News Focus
- Didier Deschamps announces his final France squad before stepping down as manager
- Robin Risser earns shock maiden call-up as third-choice goalkeeper
- Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta returns to the national team
- France will play friendly matches against Ivory Coast and Northern Ireland before the tournament
- Les Bleus face Senegal, Iraq and Norway in Group I at the World Cup
France manager Didier Deschamps has selected his 26-player squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This marks his final tournament in charge. The 57-year-old coach will leave his position after France’s campaign ends.
Deschamps aims to guide France to a third consecutive World Cup final. The team won the title in 2018 but lost to Argentina on penalties in 2022.
The squad includes a major surprise in goal. Robin Risser, a 21-year-old from Lens, has received his first-ever call-up. He replaces Paris Saint-Germain’s Lucas Chevalier, who misses out through injury.
In attack, Jean-Philippe Mateta returns to the squad. The Crystal Palace forward takes the place of Hugo Ekitiké, who is recovering from a serious Achilles problem. However, Tottenham striker Randal Kolo Muani and Ligue 1 top scorer Estéban Lepaul do not make the cut.
France will play two preparation matches before heading to America. They host Ivory Coast in Nantes on June 4. Five days later, they meet Northern Ireland in Lille on June 8.
At the World Cup, France compete in Group I. They open against Senegal on June 16, followed by Iraq on June 22, and finish the group stage against Norway on June 26.
The Full Squad:
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 Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: N’Golo Kanté (Fenerbahçe), Manu Koné (AS Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain), Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)