Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga and PSG’s Lucas Chevalier have both been omitted from France’s squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. The tournament is set to take place from June 11 to July 19, across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This decision has raised eyebrows, especially given France’s status as one of the favorites, seeking its third World Cup title.
Reasons for Omission
Head coach Didier Deschamps cited Camavinga’s challenging season, including limited playing time and injuries. Despite being part of the team that finished as runners-up in the last World Cup, Camavinga’s recent performance did not warrant inclusion. Deschamps expressed understanding of Camavinga’s disappointment.
Similarly, Chevalier has lost his starting spot at PSG to Matvei Safonov and has not played since late January. Deschamps emphasized that sporting performance was the primary criterion for squad selection.
Notable Call-Ups and Team Structure
Deschamps rewarded Robin Risser with a call-up. Risser has had a standout season, earning accolades as the best goalkeeper after playing a pivotal role in Lens’s solid defensive performance. He joins Mike Maignan and Brice Samba in the goalkeeper roster.
- Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Brice Samba, Robin Risser
- Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernández, Theo Hernández, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano
- Midfielders: N’Golo Kanté, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Warren Zaïre-Eméry
- Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram
Group Stage Matches
France has been placed in Group I, where they will face Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. The team is led by a strong lineup, featuring stars like Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. Deschamps expressed his ambition for the team, while also stressing the importance of humility.
Coaching Transition
This World Cup will be Deschamps’s final tournament as coach. Since taking charge in 2012, he has led France to victory in the 2018 World Cup and a finals appearance in 2022. Zinedine Zidane is speculated to be the next head coach, although he has not coached since his tenure with Real Madrid.
As the countdown to the World Cup continues, the absence of Camavinga and Kolo Muani from the squad has highlighted the competitive nature of selection for this prestigious tournament.
