![World Cup 2026: Deschamps, the coach of France, releases the team’s 26-man roster [complete list]](https://www.basemedia.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Didier-Deschamps-1536x864-1-768x432.webp)
France national team coach, Didier Deschamps, has announced his nation’s 26-man roster for this summer’s World Cup.
Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d’Or winner, Ousmane Dembele are set to spearhead a talented France offense at the tournament.
Only Olivier Giroud (57) has netted more goals than Mbappe’s 56 for France, with the Real Madrid forward anticipated to lead his nation despite facing recent challenges due to a thigh injury
Dembele, who scored 35 goals and won the Champions League with Paris St-Germain the previous season, is the second French player to win the Ballon d’Or this century. Despite being a member of the last two squads, he has not scored in a World Cup.
Nine Premier League players are in the squad, including Michael Olise of Bayern Munich, Desire Doue of PSG, Rayan Cherki of Man City, and William Saliba of Arsenal. These players round up an exciting attacking roster.
Only Mbappe and Dembele remain from France’s winning 2018 World Cup squad, along with full-back Lucas Hernandez and midfielder N’Golo Kante.
Dembele, who scored 35 goals and won the Champions League with Paris St-Germain the previous season, is the second French player to win the Ballon d’Or this century. Despite being a member of the last two squads, he has not scored in a World Cup.
Nine Premier League players are in the squad, including Michael Olise of Bayern Munich, Desire Doue of PSG, Rayan Cherki of Man City, and William Saliba of Arsenal. These players round up an exciting attacking roster.
Only Mbappe and Dembele remain from France’s winning 2018 World Cup squad, along with full-back Lucas Hernandez and midfielder N’Golo Kante.
Ahead of his final big event as head coach, Deschamps, who has led France to back-to-back World Cup finals, has made a number of surprising choices.
Randal Kolo Muani of Tottenham and Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid, who both played in 2022, are noticeably missing from the team.
Lucas Chevalier, the goalkeeper for PSG, is also left out. Robin Risser, an uncapped goalkeeper for Lens, will replace Brice Samba as Mike Maignan’s backup.
Huge Ekitike of Liverpool is a notable but expected absence after suffering an Achilles injury in April that ended his season.
On June 16, France will play Senegal in New Jersey to begin their campaign. They will then play additional Group I games against Iraq on June 22 and Norway on June 26.
France team:
Goalies: Brice Samba (Rennes), Robin Risser (Lens), and Mike Maignan (AC Milan) Defenders: Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Dayot Upamenaco (Bayern Munich), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (Paris St-Germain), and Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal) Midfielders: Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), N’Golo Kante (Fenerbache), Manu Kone (Roma), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), and Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris St-Germain) Maghnes Akliouche of Monaco, Bradley Barcola of Paris St-Germain, Rayan Cherki of Man City, Ousmane Dembele of Paris St-Germain, Desire Doue of Paris St-Germain, Michael Olise of Bayern Munich, Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid, Jean-Phillipe Mateta of Crystal Palace, and Marcus Thuram of Inter Milan are among the forwards.
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