Kylian Mbappe captains incredible France squad at FIFA World Cup 2026
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
France manager Didier Deschamps has announced his 26-man squad for FIFA World Cup 2026.
In what will be his final major tournament in charge, Didier Deschamps has named what is an incredibly impressive 26-man squad for this summer’s FIFA World Cup – and one that will be considered to be favourites by many.
Kylian Mbappe is once again captain for Les Bleus but the Real Madrid forward is almost overshadowed by the sheer level of quality that is stacked around him, beginning with 2025 Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele.
As well as those two in the final third, Deschamps, should he once again choose to be his naturally conservative self, will then have the choice of either Desire Doue or Michael Olise for the right-wing.
It could well be Deschamps plays Doue in a deeper role in the middle of the park to cram everyone into the team but that still doesn’t leave room for Rayan Cherki, who has been extremely impressive in his debut season in the Premier League with Manchester City.
The other options for Deschamps in midfield are still also extremely strong, too, with Aurelien Tchouameni alongside Warren Zaire-Emery, Adrien Rabiot and N’Golo Kante.
At the back, in front of AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, France will likely pair Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba ahead of Ibrahima Konate, with Barcelona’s Jules Kounde at right-back and a three-way fight between 2018 FIFA World Cup winner Lucas Hernandez, 2022 FIFA World Cup runner-up Theo Hernandez or the most in-form of the lot, Lucas Digne, at left-back.
This is all not to mention the further attacking depth of Bradley Barcola, Maghnes Akliouche and Marcus Thuram.
The most surprising omission does come in midfield with Eduardo Camavinga left out, albeit he hasn’t had the best of seasons and doesn’t appear to have ever been fully trusted by Deschamps.
Florian Thauvin has had an excellent season for Lens and Christopher Nkunku has enjoyed a more positive time of it at AC Milan but both miss out alongside the injured Hugo Ekitike, while Jean-Philippe Mateta has got the nod over Randal Kolo Muani.
