The final 26-player squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been unveiled by French national team coach Didier Deschamps, causing shockwaves in football circles. As "Les Bleus" prepare to tackle their third World Cup title, one star from Real Madrid will be watching from the stands.

The biggest surprise is the omission of midfielder Eduardo Camavinga. The 20-year-old Real Madrid player, who was part of the team that won the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, did not make the cut. Instead, Deschamps opted for an additional defender, Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace.

The French attack is as formidable as expected. Leading the charge is Kylian Mbappé, now playing for Real Madrid, who is making his third World Cup appearance. Joining him are the Golden Ball winner Ousmane Dembélé, the brilliant Michael Olise from Bayern Munich, and Marcus Thuram from Inter Milan. Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace also made the squad, edging out Randal Kolo Muani.

The midfield saw a significant return. After a hiatus, N'Golo Kanté, now playing for Fenerbahçe, has been recalled to the squad. Alongside him are Aurélien Tchouaméni, Adrien Rabiot, Manu Koné, and the young Warren Zaïre-Emery. Among the goalkeepers, the biggest surprise is the call-up of 21-year-old Robin Risser from Lens, who is making his first appearance in the senior squad ahead of the experienced Lucas Chavalière.

France is grouped in Group I along with Senegal, Iraq, and Norway.

The complete squad for France:

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 Konaté (Liverpool)
  • Jules Koundé (Barcelona)
  • Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace)
  • William Saliba (Arsenal)
  • Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)

Midfielders

  • N'Golo Kanté (Fenerbahçe)
  • Manu Koné (AS Roma)
  • Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan)
  • Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid)
  • Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG)

Forwards

  • Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco)
  • Bradley Barcola (PSG)
  • Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)
  • Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)
  • Désiré Doué (PSG)
  • Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)
  • Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
  • Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
  • Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)