Didier Deschamps, the French national team coach, unveiled the list of 26 players for the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday evening. Here are the 11 notable absences from the French squad.
In selecting 26 players for the 2026 World Cup, Deschamps made some players happy and others disappointed. The Figaro put together a lineup of the major absentees from the French squad. This lineup could easily represent other national teams this summer at the World Cup, showcasing the depth of talent in France. Notable exclusions include Antoine Griezmann and Hugo Lloris due to retirement, as well as Hugo Ekitike who is out due to injury.
Key points:
- Deschamps left out some big names like Lucas Chevalier, who wasn’t selected despite previous expectations.
- Players like Pierre Kalulu, Wesley Fofana, Matthieu Udol, Benjamin Pavard, and others were also noticeably absent from the squad.
- Corentin Tolisso, Eduardo Camavinga, and other midfielders were left out, despite their past performances.
- Florian Thauvin, Kingsley Coman, and Randal Kolo Muani were also notable absentees from the squad.
- The selection of Esteban Lepaul as the main striker raised eyebrows, with other potential options available.
- The article also includes a slideshow about the 2026 World Cup squad selection by Didier Deschamps.
