Unsurprisingly, France coach Didier Deschamps named Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappé - as well as five other Ligue 1 Uber Eats-based players - in the 25-man squad that will defend France's world title at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in November and December.
The suspense is over for Les Bleus fans! France coach Didier Deschamps unveiled the long-awaited list of 25 players called up for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Wednesday evening.
Six Ligue 1 Uber Eats players called up
Six Ligue 1 Uber Eats players will have the honour of wearing the French national team jersey in this 22nd edition of the World Cup, led by Kylian Mbappé. The current top scorer in the French league with 11 goals in 14 games, the PSG striker will be looking to shine in his second World Cup campaign, where he will be accompanied by club-mate Presnel Kimpembe.
Didier Deschamps' newest call-up, 23-year-old Youssouf Fofana, will represent AS Monaco in the France squad while Mattéo Guendouzi and Jordan Veretout (Olympique de Marseille) will also feature in midfield. Steve Mandanda (Stade Rennais), 37, will be playing in his third World Cup, following on from 2010 and 2018.
The reigning world champions will start their campaign on Tuesday 22 November against Australia. In Group D, they will then face Denmark (Saturday 26 November) and Tunisia (Wednesday 30 November).
France's 25-man squad for the 2022 World Cup:
Goalkeepers:
Alphonse Areola (West Ham, ANG), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham, ENG) and Steve Mandanda (Stade Rennais FC)
Defenders:
Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich, GER), Théo Hernandez (AC Milan, ITA), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool, ANG), Jules Koundé (Barcelona, ESP), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich, GER), William Saliba (Arsenal, ENG), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich, GER) and Raphaël Varane (Manchester United, ENG)
Midfielders:
Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid, ESP), Youssouf Fofana (AS Monaco), Mattéo Guendouzi (Olympique de Marseille), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus, ITA), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid, ESP) and Jordan Veretout (Olympique de Marseille)
Forwards:
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid, ESP), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich, GER), Ousmane Dembélé (Barcelona, ESP), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan, ITA), Antoine Griezmann (Atlético de Madrid, ESP), Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain) and Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig, GER)
