France Names Star-Studded 26-Man Squad for 2026 World Cup French football legend Didier Deschamps has finalized his 26-player squad for the 2026 World Cup, featuring a blend of veteran stars and emerging talents. Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele will spearhead the attack, with Mbappe needing just two more goals to surpass Olivier Giroud as France's all-time men's top scorer. The Real Madrid forward, despite recent thigh injury concerns, is set to captain the team, while Dembele, who won the Champions League with Paris St-Germain last season, aims to break his World Cup goal drought. The squad includes a mix of experienced players and younger prospects, with Bayern Munich's Michael Olise and PSG teammate Desire Doue forming an exciting attacking trio alongside Mbappe and Dembele. Seven Premier League-based players are also named, including Man City's Rayan Cherki and Arsenal defender William Saliba. Full-back Lucas Hernandez and midfielder N'Golo Kante, both key figures from France's 2018 World Cup-winning squad, are retained as the only survivors from that group. Deschamps emphasized the importance of balance over selecting the "26 best players," stating, "It's about how the team comes together." The coach faced criticism for omitting Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga and Tottenham's Randal Kolo Muani, both key players in the 2022 World Cup campaign. PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier also missed out, with uncapped Lens keeper Robin Risser joining Brice Samba as backup to Mike Maignan. Liverpool's Huge Ekitike, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in April, is a notable absentee. France's group stage fixtures include matches against Senegal on June 16, Iraq on June 22, and Norway on June 26.#real_madrid #kylian_mbappe #paris_st_germain #didier_deschamps #ousmane_dembele
