Kylian Mbappé will captain France at the 2026 World Cup after manager Didier Deschamps unveiled his 26-man squad for this summer’s tournament across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Deschamps, who led Les Bleus to glory in 2018 and will step down after the finals, named a squad with few surprises.
“It is not necessarily the 26 best individuals. It is about balance and collective chemistry,” Deschamps told TF1. He later added: “The overriding criterion for selection is a sporting one.”
Despite a thigh injury sustained last month that sidelined him for key La Liga matches with Real Madrid, the 27-year-old Mbappé is expected to start as captain. He is joined by a formidable attack including Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembélé, Paris Saint-Germain’s Désiré Doué, and Bayern Munich winger Michael Olisé.
Playmaker Rayan Cherki, 22, is set for his World Cup debut following a stellar first season at Manchester City. Arsenal’s William Saliba will anchor the defence, likely alongside Bayern’s Dayot Upamecano. Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté and Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix are also included.
Camavinga and Chevalier omitted
Lucas Hernández and N’Golo Kanté join Mbappé and Dembélé as the only survivors from the 2018 triumph. Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser is the sole uncapped player.
Notable absentees include Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga and PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, who has lost his starting place since his high-profile move from Lille. “I can imagine his disappointment,” Deschamps said of Camavinga. “He has had a difficult season with limited playing time and injuries. But I must make decisions.”
Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike misses out after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in April.
Reflecting on his final squad announcement for a major tournament, Deschamps said: “This has been part of my life for 14 years. But if people are worried, I am not retiring. The World Cup is the most important thing.”
France begin their Group I campaign against Senegal on 16 June, followed by matches against Iraq and Norway.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (Lens), Brice Samba (Rennes)
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernández (PSG), Theo Hernández (Al Hilal), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: N’Golo Kanté (Fenerbahçe), Manu Koné (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG)
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Désiré Doué (PSG), Michael Olisé (Bayern Munich), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)
