France coach Didier Deschamps don announce im 26-man squad for 2026 World Cup, and Chelsea full-back Malo Gusto make di list. Gusto na di first Chelsea player wey go represent di club for di tournament. Di 21-year-old don play 47 games for Chelsea dis season, and e don earn nine caps for France since im debut.
Deschamps bin drop some big names from di squad wey go to Canada, Mexico, and United States. Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga no dey di list, even though e play for France for 2022 World Cup final against Argentina. Deschamps say: “Camavinga don get tough season, e no play plenty and e get injuries. I understand say e go dey disappointed, but I get choices to make for di squad balance.”
Another notable absence na PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, wey no play since January. Instead, Deschamps call up Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser, wey win best goalkeeper award for Ligue 1 dis season. Risser go serve as backup to Mike Maignan and Brice Samba.
France go rely on star attackers like Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele. Mbappe, wey captain di team, get 56 goals for France, only Olivier Giroud get more. Dembele score 35 goals for PSG last season and win Champions League, but e never score for World Cup before. Dembele join Michael Olise, Desire Doue, and Rayan Cherki for attack.
Di squad include seven Premier League-based players, including Arsenal defender William Saliba and Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta. Mateta replace Tottenham striker Randal Kolo Muani, wey score for 2022 World Cup semi-final against Morocco but miss out dis time.
France go begin dia campaign against Senegal for New Jersey on June 16. Dem go face Iraq and Norway for Group I. Deschamps, wey lead France to 2018 World Cup victory and 2022 final, say dis go be im last tournament. Zinedine Zidane dey expected to take over after World Cup.
Di full France squad: Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Brice Samba, Robin Risser. Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde, Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano. Midfielders: N'Golo Kante, Manu Kone, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, Warren Zaire-Emery. Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram.
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