Didier Deschamps kicks off the symbolic campaign of the Bleus for the 2026 World Cup by revealing his list of players for the tournament on Thursday, with few uncertainties to dispel. As is tradition before each final phase, the coach will sit on the set of the 8 p.m. news on TF1, partner of the French team, to unveil the names of the fortunate ones tasked with embarking on a conquest of a third World Cup.
Between 23 and 26 names
The moment will be special for the 57-year-old technician, who will step down from his duties at the end of this competition, held from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
He has, however, sufficiently paved the way to avoid major headaches when refining his group. The outlines of this list, which could range from 23 to 26 players as in Qatar in 2022, should closely mirror those of the successful American tour in March, against Brazil and Colombia. However, the list should also include William Saliba, Jules Koundé, Bradley Barcola, and Manu Koné, absent due to injuries during the last gathering.
“The objective is to ensure that we have three options per position. I am not here to take fewer players, but even by taking 26 players, it will leave some players legitimately selectable on the sidelines,” explained the coach beforehand.
Deschamps, who surprised by recalling Karim Benzema for Euro 2021 and N’Golo Kanté for Euro 2024, will he do it again? Among the surprises that could appear on the list, the name of Hugo Lloris has resurfaced due to the setbacks of Lucas Chevalier, now a substitute goalkeeper at PSG. But if the latter were to be excluded, the coach could turn to other names, including Robin Risser (Lens) recently elected best goalkeeper of the season, or Jean Butez, goalkeeper of the Italian club Côme.
In defense, many are certain to make the journey (Saliba, Upamecano, Konaté, Koundé, Lucas and Theo Hernandez, Lucas Digne, even Gusto), as well as in midfield where the French coach can rely on his key players Kanté, Koné, Rabiot, or Tchouameni.
Furthermore, in attack, Deschamps has an exceptional reservoir, with the superstar and captain Mbappé, Ballon d’Or winner Dembélé, Bayern’s gem Olise, the generous Thuram, and a squad of young talents (Barcola, Dou, Cherki, Akliouche). The unavailability of Ekitike may give hope to Kolo Muani, Thauvin, Mateta, or to the top scorer in Ligue 1, Lepaul. They will have the answer this Thursday night.
/2026/05/14/6a05b561c77af078537711.jpg "TV rights crisis: French football has gone from TV-dependence to UEFA")
