Didier Deschamps has named his 26-man France squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, confirming Kylian Mbappe as the centrepiece of a typically talent-laden selection for a tournament that begins on 11 June across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The announcement, made at the FFF headquarters in Paris on 14 May, marks Deschamps’ final squad selection as France head coach, with the long-serving manager stepping down from the role after the tournament concludes.
The squad carries no major surprises at the top end but has sparked debate in several areas. Eduardo Camavinga, who has struggled to nail down a regular starting position at Real Madrid this season, has been left out despite widespread expectation that he would feature. Randal Kolo Muani also misses out after a difficult loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur, while Antoine Griezmann, who retired from international football after UEFA Euro 2024, will not be reversing his decision.
Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta earns a call-up despite having only three previous international appearances, rewarding a strong club campaign. Rayan Cherki, one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season with Manchester City, is also included.
N’Golo Kante, now playing his club football at Fenerbahce in Turkey, will participate in his third World Cup alongside fellow midfielders Manu Kone, Aurelien Tchouameni and Warren Zaire-Emery. The squad also includes past World Cup winners in Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Kante and Lucas Hernandez.
Mbappe is expected to captain the side and will hope to leave a turbulent club season at Real Madrid behind him by thriving on the international stage, where he has consistently delivered his best football. He scored in France’s final victory over Croatia in 2018 and became only the second player in history to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final at Qatar 2022, where France fell to Argentina on penalties. Dembele, the reigning Ballon d’Or holder, adds further attacking firepower alongside Desire Doue, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola.
France have been drawn in Group I alongside Senegal, Iraq and Norway. They open their campaign against Senegal at MetLife Stadium on 16 June, face Iraq in Philadelphia on 22 June and conclude the group stage against Norway in Boston on 26 June.
France’s full squad:
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (Lens), Brice Samba (Rennes)
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: N’Golo Kante (Fenerbahce), Manu Kone (AS Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG)
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Desire Doue (PSG), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)
