France World – Didier Deschamps names a star-studded France squad led by Mbappé and Cherki, with Mateta’s inclusion sparking debate ahead of June 16 vs Senegal.
France’s World Cup campaign is already generating buzz, and the squad announcement has only amplified it: the country’s attack looks stacked with elite names, with Kylian Mbappé and Rayan Cherki positioned as two of the most prominent choices in Didier Deschamps’ forward line.
Deschamps unveiled his tournament group on Thursday, framing France as one of the favourites for this summer’s competition.. The forward options read like a who’s-who of attacking talent. with Mbappé joined by Ousmane Dembélé. Michael Olise. Désiré Doué. Maghnes Akliouche. Bradley Barcola. Rayan Cherki. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Marcus Thuram.
France’s path begins in Group I, where they are drawn alongside Senegal, Iraq and Norway.. Their opening match is scheduled against Senegal at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on June 16.. After falling short to Argentina in the 2022 final. France will be chasing a third World Cup title. following triumphs in 1998 and 2018.
As soon as the list was published, attention turned to potential surprises.. The most discussed omission was Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga. despite him having been called up for France’s March friendlies.. In this squad decision. his current club situation appears to have weighed heavily. with a tough season at Madrid described as a key factor. including falling behind in the selection pecking order.
The report also pointed to a specific incident that added pressure: Camavinga made a costly mistake for Real against Bayern in the Champions League quarter-finals. when he was shown a second yellow card after kicking the ball away.. That combination of reduced club momentum and a high-profile match moment formed the clearest explanation for why his name did not make the final cut.
Another notable fallout came with the inclusion of Mateta, which reshaped the forward hierarchy.. Randal Kolo Muani. on loan at Tottenham Hotspur this season. is not part of the final squad. despite his dramatic contribution in the 2022 World Cup final.. He nearly won the title for France in the 123rd minute. but now finds himself outside this summer’s tournament plans.
Mateta’s absence from earlier squads also matters to the story of who did make it. Esteban Lepaul, despite finishing as the top scorer in Ligue 1 this season with 19 goals, missed out on selection.
While the omissions fuel debate, the inclusions bring their own intrigue, and Mateta’s call-up has stood out as the most eye-catching selection. He only received his first international call-up in October, but it was largely linked to the absence of injured PSG pair Dembélé and Doué at the time.
Seven months later, Mateta is not only in the squad, but doing so after a run of circumstances that pushed him forward. The report notes that Mateta’s progress has been impressive considering the setbacks and doubts he has faced along the way.
In March, Mateta was not named for France’s friendlies after a knee injury kept him sidelined for more than a month. That health setback also affected his club future: a proposed move to AC Milan in January fell through, with the Italian club opting against pursuing a deal due to the injury.
Back at Palace, the story turned into a test of form and confidence.. Mateta had to win back the support of disgruntled fans, especially since the forward had wanted to leave.. During that same period. the club invested heavily in a new striker. with a record fee paid for Jörgen Strand Larsen. who Mateta has since effectively displaced.
The momentum shift came with goals and decisive performances. Two strikes against Newcastle United in April sparked Mateta’s revival, and he has played an important role in helping Palace reach the Europa Conference League final.
That European experience is only part of why his name resonates with France’s broader tactical options. At the Paris Olympic Games in 2024, Mateta formed a strong partnership with Olise, his former Palace teammate, and the pair finished with a silver medal.
The squad also reflects how international selections can hinge on timing and familiarity. Mateta’s current Palace teammate, Maxence Lacroix, was named as well, after receiving his first call-up in March.
In goal, Deschamps rewarded club form by picking RC Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser. He earns his first national squad call-up and will start as third-choice behind Mike Maignan and Brice Samba, while also being selected ahead of PSG’s Lucas Chevalier and West Ham United’s Alphonse Areola.
Injuries. however. remain a major storyline within any tournament build-up. and one absence is particularly painful for the squad and for the player involved.. Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitiké will miss the tournament after rupturing his Achilles tendon during a Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain last month.
The French Football Federation released a statement the day after the injury. emphasizing how integrated Ekitiké had become within the national team setup.. Deschamps described him as one of about 10 young players who had debuted for France in recent months. adding that the injury is a significant blow both to Ekitiké and to the wider French national team.
With the squad now set, the focus turns to the selection headaches Deschamps will face once the tournament begins. While France’s attacking depth looks like an advantage on paper, it can also be a challenge for a coach trying to balance roles, minutes and chemistry.
The report highlights one particular area where choices may be most difficult: the left side of attack.. It suggests that Cherki. who has shone for Manchester City this season. could be an option from the bench. underscoring how even standout performers may not start immediately with so many attacking alternatives available.
Elsewhere, France’s defensive options may also force tough calls. For central defence, Deschamps can only choose two from Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Ibrahima Konate and Lacroix, setting up a competition that will likely determine the team’s balance at the back.
Even beyond personnel, France’s tactical approach continues to be part of the conversation.. At the 2024 European Championship. the report recalls that France faced grumblings over style of play. with the team scoring four goals across their six matches.. Despite the criticism, they still reached the semi-final, where they were defeated by eventual winners Spain.
That experience appears to have shaped the preparation leading into this tournament.. The report notes that Deschamps changed things up during Nations League and World Cup qualifying campaigns that followed. with Michael Olise taking on an important role in the No.. 10 position.. The result. according to the report. is that France arrive in “firing form. ” buoyed by positive results in recent March friendlies in the United States.
France’s warm-up momentum included a 3-1 win against Colombia and a 2-1 victory over Brazil, outcomes that should help build confidence as the squad moves toward the opening match.
Before the first competitive game against Senegal on June 16, France play two friendlies designed to sharpen the squad. They begin against Ivory Coast on June 4 at FC Nantes’ Stade de la Beaujoire.
That will be followed by a match against Northern Ireland on June 8 at Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy.. Northern Ireland. as noted in the report. failed to qualify for the tournament. but the fixture still provides another chance for Deschamps to test combinations and prepare for the intensity of Group I.
Here is France’s 26-man World Cup squad as announced:
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan). Robin Risser (Lens). Brice Samba (Rennes)
Defenders: Malo Gusto (Chelsea). Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace). Jules Kounde (Barcelona). Lucas Digne (Aston Villa). Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool). William Saliba (Arsenal). Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich). Lucas Hernandez (Paris Saint-Germain). Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal)
Midfielders: Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid). Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan). N’Golo Kante (Fenerbahce). Manu Kone (Roma). Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
Forwards: Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain). Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain). Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace). Rayan Cherki (Manchester City). Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan). Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco). Desire Doue (Paris Saint-Germain). Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid). Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
France World Cup squad Kylian Mbappé Rayan Cherki Jean-Philippe Mateta Didier Deschamps Group I fixtures