France announces squad for 2026 World Cup with Mbappé and surprising cut of Camavinga By Thiago Lemos
4 min read
 |
Coach Didier Deschamps announced the official 26-player França roster for the 2026 Mundo Copa on Thursday afternoon. The current world runner-up and leader of the Fifa ranking arrives at the tournament as the main candidate for the trophy. Kylian Mbappé leads the group that will try for the third title in the country’s history. The announcement took place at the federation’s headquarters, at Paris, and brought the confirmation of names that work in the European elite.
The big surprise of the relationship was the absence of midfielder Camavinga, from Real Madrid. The coach justified the choice based on the athlete’s recent performance at the Spanish club. Camavinga faced physical problems and lost space in the starting lineup during the last European season. Deschamps stated that he needed to prioritize the collective structure and the current game rhythm of those selected. Dez names that were in the 2022 final remain in the squad for the new cycle.
𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒄𝒖𝒏 𝒂 𝒖𝒏 𝒓𝒐̂𝒍𝒆 𝒂̀ 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒆𝒓 🇫🇷🌎
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) May 14, 2026
Voici nos 26 Bleus qui représenteront la France à la 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐞 𝐝𝐮 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 ! 🔥#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/CqKUzJpSK0
Ausência of Camavinga and explanations of Didier Deschamps
The exclusion of one of the most promising names of the French generation generated immediate questions from the local press. Deschamps was direct in explaining that the technical criteria weighed more than the player’s history. Ele mentioned that Camavinga’s recurring injuries made it difficult for him to remain in the group of 26 athletes. The coach highlighted the need to have players with better leg performance at this stage of preparation.
The coach admitted that the decision is difficult for the professional. Ele understands the frustration of Real Madrid’s midfielder, but reiterated that the balance of the midfield sector required other characteristics. The tactical structure designed for the debut against Senegal at the MetLife stadium was decisive in the final selection. Deschamps is looking for a more defensively solid team to face the volatility of Grupo I.
Lista official of the 26 França squad
The final relationship combines the experience of the remaining players with young talents from the national championship. Paris Saint-Germain is the club with the most representation in the current squad. Confira the division by sectors:
- Goleiros: Mike Maignan, Robin Risser and Brice Samba
- Defensores: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano
- Meio-campers: N’Golo Kanté, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Warren Zaïre-Emery
- Atacantes: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise and Marcus Thuram
The presence of N’Golo Kanté, currently in Turkish football, guarantees the veteran leadership needed in short tournaments. In attack, the speed of Barcola and Cherki should offer variation options for the second half. Mbappé, now Real Madrid, will have the responsibility of being the captain and absolute technical reference of the squad.
Calendário from França and group in the first phase
The French journey on North American soil begins at Nova Jersey. The team will have Senegal as its first opponent on June 16th. Este clash recreates the historic opening of 2002, when the Africans surprised the world. The second round will take place at Filadélfia, against the selection of Iraque, on the 22nd. The closing of the initial phase will be at Boston, against Noruega, on June 26th.
Antes from the official trip to the headquarters of Copa, the federation scheduled two preparatory friendlies. The team faces Costa of Marfim on June 4th for final positioning adjustments. Quatro days later, the challenge will be against Norte’s Irlanda. Estes games will help Deschamps define the starting team that will start the competition. The atmosphere is farewell, as the coach will leave his position after the end of Mundial.
Despedida from Deschamps and the future of the French national team
Este tournament marks the end of a victorious era for French football. Didier Deschamps previously announced that he will not renew his contract after participating in the 2026 Copa. Ele has been in charge since 2012 and won Copa from the 2018 Mundo in Rússia. Sua’s departure paves the way for intense speculation about his successor on the bench. Zinédine Zidane appears as the favorite name of the fans and the board.
The federation focuses entirely on immediate performance to crown the current coach’s cycle. Maintaining the top of the Fifa ranking for months in a row gives the group confidence. Jogadores like Antoine Griezmann, fundamental in previous years, give way to new protagonists like Olise and Akliouche. The generational transition was carried out gradually to avoid sudden drops in income. Mbappé’s stated goal in recent interviews is to take the trophy back to Paris.
