Internationals: Deschamps reveals France squad for World Cup
Didier Deschamps has announced the list of players selected for the French national team to compete in the World Cup from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
All eyes on North America
Twenty-six players were called up this Thursday by Didier Deschamps, the head coach of the French national team, to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Among them are five players from Paris Saint-Germain—officially crowned champions of Ligue 1 McDonald's this season—namely Lucas Hernandez, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, and Bradley Barcola.
Robin Risser: The Big Surprise of the Squad List
Of particular note is the inclusion of Lens’s Robin Risser (21), a France U21 international (5 caps) who had never previously been called up to the senior squad. He recently won the UNFP award for the best goalkeeper of the season in Ligue 1 McDonald's.
In total, eight players from France's top flight feature in Deschamps' squad list; in addition to the five Parisians and the Lens player, the list includes Brice Samba of Rennes and Maghnes Akliouche of Monaco.
Maghnes Akliouche is called up with France for the World Cup! ❤️🤍
The #MadeInLaDiagonale midfielder will play his first World Cup. We’re so proud of you, @Nesmaar_A! 🫶 pic.twitter.com/UkvPajzrtg— AS Monaco EN 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco_EN) May 14, 2026
The French Squad for the World Cup:
Goalkeepers (3): Mike Maignan (AC Milan, ITA), Brice Samba (Stade Rennais), Robin Risser (RC Lens)
Defenders (9): Lucas Digne (Aston Villa, ENG), Malo Gusto (Chelsea, ENG), Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool, ENG), William Saliba (Arsenal, ENG), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich, GER), Jules Koundé (FC Barcelona, ESP), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace, ENG), Théo Hernandez (Al Hilal FC, KSA)
Midfielders (5): N'Golo Kanté (Fenerbahçe, TUR), Manu Koné (AS Roma, ITA), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan, ITA), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid, ESP), Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG)
Forwards (9): Maghnes Akliouche (AS Monaco), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City, ENG), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Désiré Doué (PSG), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid, ESP), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich, GER), Marcus Thuram (Inter, ITA), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace, ENG)
Two Warm-up Matches Scheduled
Once assembled, *Les Bleus* will play two warm-up matches ahead of the World Cup during the first few days of June, before departing for the United States.
Thursday, June 4, 2026: France vs. Ivory Coast in Nantes
Monday, June 8, 2026: France vs. Northern Ireland in Lille (Villeneuve-d'Ascq)
A challenging group awaits
The French team has been placed in Group I, a four-team group. To advance past the group stage, France must finish in one of the top two spots or rank among the eight best third-placed teams.
Tuesday, June 16: France vs. Senegal
Monday, June 22: France vs. Iraq
Friday, June 26: France vs. Norway
