Tipped by many to win their third World Cup this year, 2022 runners-up France head into the World Cup 2026 with what looks on paper to be one of the strongest squads at the tournament. Here, we run the rule over Les Bleus…
France’s World Cup 2026 Squad at a Glance
Didier Deschamps appears to have a struck an ideal balance of experience and youth with his final squad as France boss – and he’ll hope it’ll see him become just the second person to win two World Cups as a manager.
All of Europe’s top five leagues are represented in Deschamps’ 26-man selection – with eight players from clubs in the French Ligue 1, including five PSG stars, among them 2025 Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, and seven from the Premier League, such as title-winning Arsenal defender William Saliba and Manchester City creative wizard Rayan Cherki.
Despite still only being 27, captain Kylian Mbappe is the veteran of the squad in terms of caps – the Real Madrid man is just four appearances away from a century for his country – while young Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser is the sole uncapped player named.
Notable Absentees from France’s World Cup 2026 Squad
Hugo Ekitike was in fine form for Liverpool when a ruptured Achilles ruled the striker out of a first World Cup. Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga and PSG forward Randal Kolo Muani, who spent this season on loan at Tottenham, are among the big names left out.
France’s World Cup 2026 Goalkeepers
Former skipper Hugo Lloris retired in 2023, so Milan’s Mike Maignan will wear the gloves just as he did at Euro 2024. Rennes’ Brice Samba and the aforementioned Risser are the two back-up goalkeepers.
France’s World Cup 2026 Defenders
France’s most likely centre-back pairing should see Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano line up alongside Saliba, though fellow centre-halves Jules Kounde (Barcelona) and Lucas Hernandez (PSG) bring versatility to the defensive department, being able to operate at right- and left-back respectively. Chelsea’s Malo Gusto and Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne are also in the frame for those respective roles.
France’s World Cup 2026 Midfielders
Veteran midfield destroyer N’Golo Kante, now at Fenerbahce, turned 35 in March but is still going strong and ought to start for France this summer. He could be joined by a less familiar face, Roma’s Manu Kone, who made quite a name for himself in qualifying and is heading to his first major tournament.
Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni and Milan’s Adrien Rabiot bring further experience to the midfield department, having won over 100 caps between them.
France’s World Cup 2026 Forwards
With Deschamps preferring a 4-2-3-1 set-up, it’s effectively a four-pronged attack for France – and there’s absolutely no question that Mbappe, who needs four goals to equal Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup record of 16, will lead the line in North America.
Mbappe should be flanked by Dembele to the right, but there’s a bit more flexibility when it comes to the left-wing and number 10 spots – though Cherki and the bang in-form Michael Olise of Bayern will almost certainly occupy them.
And in case there wasn’t enough talent there already, France have the likes of Doue, his PSG colleague Bradley Barcola, and Inter’s Marcus Thuram in reserve.
Next, see Spain World Cup 2026 Squad Review
