France head coach Didier Deschamps has officially named his 26-player squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, confirming the group that will travel to the United States, Mexico and Canada for what will be his final major tournament in charge of Les Bleus.
France heads into the competition once again being one of the favorites after lifting the World Cup in 2018 and reaching the final in Qatar four years later.
The squad blends familiar stars with several fresh faces, including a few names making their first major tournament appearance.
𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒄𝒖𝒏 𝒂 𝒖𝒏 𝒓𝒐̂𝒍𝒆 𝒂̀ 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒆𝒓 🇫🇷🌎
Voici nos 26 Bleus qui représenteront la France à la 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐞 𝐝𝐮 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 ! 🔥#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/CqKUzJpSK0
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) May 14, 2026
New faces, surprises and notable absences
France’s 26-player squad shapes up as follows:
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Robin Risser, Brice Samba.
Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano.
Midfielders: N’Golo Kanté, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouameni, Warren Zaïre-Emery.
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, and Marcus Thuram.
One of the biggest talking points is the first-ever senior call-up for goalkeeper Robin Risser. The 21-year-old RC Lens shot-stopper, recently named Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Year, arrives as France’s third-choice option.
Defender Maxence Lacroix and striker Jean-Philippe Mateta are also among the surprise inclusions.
Meanwhile, some notable names miss out. Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga was not selected, and Randal Kolo Muani also misses the squad. Goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier and striker Hugo Ekitike are unavailable due to injury.
France have been drawn in Group I and will start their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Senegal in East Rutherford. They will then face Iraq on June 22 in Philadelphia before closing the group stage against Norway on June 26 in Foxborough.
For Deschamps, it is one final World Cup journey. And with a squad filled with talent and depth, France will once again arrive with ambitions of going all the way.
