France 2026 World Cup Squad Puts Mbappe At Centre Of Another Run

France now have the 26 names Didier Deschamps wants for the FIFA World Cup 2026, and the shape of the squad says plenty. Kylian Mbappe leads a group full of familiar winners, returning players, and younger talent ready for a bigger stage.

Deschamps named his squad in Paris ahead of France’s Group I matches against Senegal, Iraq, and Norway in Canada, Mexico and the United States. France will open against Senegal on 16 June at New York New Jersey Stadium.

The France coach accepted the weight around his team. He told TF1 there are expectations because France have won so many matches. He also said other teams remain in the race, with the World Cup still carrying its own pressure.

The biggest call came in goal, where 21-year-old Robin Risser was selected behind Mike Maignan and Brice Samba. Risser recently won Ligue 1’s Best Goalkeeper award at the UNFP Awards, giving Deschamps a young third option.

There was also a change in attack after Hugo Ekitike’s Achilles tendon rupture ruled him out. Jean-Philippe Mateta returns after playing in three qualifiers and scoring twice. Randal Kolo Muani, who scored in the 2022 semi-final against Morocco, misses out after a difficult season at Tottenham Hotspur.

France also get important players back from injury. Bradley Barcola, Manu Kone, and Jules Kounde return after missing the March matches against Brazil and Colombia.

Kone said the call-up was a source of pride. He told TF1 he had waited a long time for the moment and thought about his family and friends following the squad announcement.

The rest of the group shows why France enter the tournament with heavy attention again. Ousmane Dembele, the most recent winner of The Best FIFA Men’s Player award, is included. Mbappe is there too, chasing major records in North America.

Michael Olise also makes the squad, while Desire Doue adds another young attacking option. Doue impressed at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, where he won the FIFA Best Young Player Award presented by Panini.

France’s defence has depth across several major names. Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde, Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba, and Dayot Upamecano give Deschamps many options.

The midfield is smaller but experienced. N’Golo Kante is joined by Manu Kone, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Warren Zaire-Emery.

France will face Senegal on 16 June, Iraq on 22 June in Philadelphia, and Norway on 26 June in Boston. All squads remain provisional until FIFA receives the final 26-player lists from participating teams on 2 June.

For France, the squad does not need much explaining. The names are strong. The harder part begins when the favourites have to play like favourites.