France name 26-man World Cup squad as Deschamps prepares for final tenure
Kylian Mbappe to lead attack despite injury concerns, while Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser earns surprise call-up in France’s bid for a third title
French national team coach Didier Deschamps has confirmed a 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The announcement signals the conclusion of Deschamps’s long tenure, which began in 2012 and includes a World Cup victory in 2018 and a final appearance in 2022. Former France captain Zinedine Zidane is widely expected to take over the role following the tournament, despite not having coached a club side since leaving Real Madrid.
Kylian Mbappe is set to captain the side, leading a formidable attacking line-up that includes Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, and Maghnes Akliouche. Mbappe’s inclusion comes despite a thigh injury sustained during Real Madrid’s recent La Liga campaign, which caused him to miss key matches in the run-in to the title. The 27-year-old forward remains central to France’s strategy as they enter the tournament as favourites to secure their third World Cup title.
In a notable selection decision, Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser has been called up as the third-choice keeper, playing behind Mike Maignan and Brice Samba. Risser’s selection rewards a breakthrough season in which he won the award for best goalkeeper in Ligue 1 and helped Lens establish the second-best defence in the league. The inclusion of Risser marks one of the few surprises in a squad that otherwise maintains continuity with previous cycles, retaining key figures such as Lucas Hernandez and N’Golo Kante.
Deschamps has also opted for Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta over Randal Kolo Muani for the forward line. Mateta’s selection comes despite Kolo Muani’s significant contributions in the 2022 tournament, where he scored against Morocco in the semi-finals and nearly secured a victory in the final against Argentina. Meanwhile, Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki makes his World Cup debut following an impressive first season at the English club.
France will begin their campaign in Group I, facing Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. The tournament is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19. Infrastructure concerns have been raised by climate scientists regarding heat risks at the venues, with only three of the 16 stadiums featuring air conditioning. However, the focus for the French team remains on navigating the group stage and advancing their bid for global supremacy under Deschamps’s final management.
