Sports
France’s 26-Man Squad For 2026 World Cup Named by Didier Deschamps
France’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup has officially been named by Didier Deschamps, and it’s absolutely stacked.
France, who have won the competition on two occasions, came agonisingly close to winning their third World Cup title in Qatar in 2021.
Deschamps’ side progressed all the way to the final, where they met Argentina. The two sides played out one of the greatest games in football history, but it was the South American side who emerged victorious on penalties.
Les Bleus will be looking to go one step further in North America, and they have a very good chance of doing so. They have been placed in Group I, where they will begin their campaign against Senegal on June 16, before facing Iraq on June 22 and Norway on June 26.
Deschamps’ side are one of the favourites to win it all and, given the talent in their squad, it’s easy to see why.
Goalkeepers
Mike Maignan is expected to be France’s number one at the 2026 World Cup. The 30-year-old, considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, was always going to be included in the squad. Rennes goalkeeper Brice Samba, as well as Lens stopper Robin Risser, will also travel to the World Cup.
There’s no place for France’s starting goalkeeper at the previous three World Cups: Hugo Lloris. The 39-year-old, who now plays in Major League Soccer with Los Angeles FC, announced his retirement from international football in 2023 and has not been named in the squad.
Lucas Chevalier, who hasn’t played for PSG since January after being overtaken in the pecking order by Matvei Safonov, and West Ham’s Alphonse Areola have also been overlooked.
|
France’s 2026 World Cup squad – goalkeepers |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Club |
Age |
International Caps |
International Goals |
|
Mike Maignan |
AC Milan |
30 |
38 |
0 |
|
Brice Samba |
Rennes |
32 |
4 |
0 |
|
Robin Risser |
Lens |
21 |
0 |
0 |
Defenders
Deschamps has a number of world-class players to choose from in defence. Dayot Upamecano has been so impressive for Bayern Munich this season and has made the squad, as has William Saliba, who could win both the Premier League and the Champions League with Arsenal.
Ibrahima Konate has been criticised for his performances for Liverpool this campaign but has been called up, as have Paris Saint-Germain defender Lucas Hernandez and Maxence Lacroix of Crystal Palace.
At right-back, Deschamps has Chelsea’s Malo Gusto and Barcelona’s Jules Kounde to choose from, while Lucas Digne and Theo Hernandez are his options on the other side.
|
France’s 2026 World Cup squad – defenders |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Club |
Age |
International Caps |
International Goals |
|
Dayot Upamecano |
Bayern Munich |
27 |
36 |
2 |
|
William Saliba |
Arsenal |
25 |
31 |
0 |
|
Ibrahima Konaté |
Liverpool |
26 |
27 |
0 |
|
Lucas Hernandez |
Paris Saint-Germain |
30 |
41 |
0 |
|
Malo Gusto |
Chelsea |
22 |
9 |
0 |
|
Jules Koundé |
Barcelona |
27 |
46 |
0 |
|
Lucas Digne |
Aston Villa |
32 |
56 |
0 |
|
Theo Hernandez |
Al-Hilal |
28 |
42 |
2 |
|
Maxence Lacroix |
Crystal Palace |
26 |
2 |
0 |
Midfielders
If there’s an area of weakness for France going into the tournament, it’s arguably in the middle of the pitch. That said, they can still call upon a number of talented midfielders.
Adrian Rabiot, who made his France debut 10 years ago, has been included in the squad. There’s also a place for N’Golo Kante, who could well be playing in his last major tournament at international level.
Youngsters Manu Kone and Warren Zaire-Emery have also been called up and will be looking to make their mark in North America.
Aurélien Tchouaméni, who was involved in a fight with Federico Valverde during Real Madrid training earlier this month, will likely start for his country in midfield. Perhaps the biggest shock is that his Los Blancos teammate, Eduardo Camavinga, has not been called up into the squad.
|
France’s 2026 World Cup squad – midfielders |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Club |
Age |
International Caps |
International Goals |
|
Adrien Rabiot |
AC Milan |
31 |
57 |
7 |
|
Aurélien Tchouaméni |
Real Madrid |
26 |
44 |
3 |
|
N’Golo Kanté |
Fenerbahce |
35 |
67 |
2 |
|
Manu Koné |
Roma |
24 |
12 |
0 |
|
Warren Zaïre-Emery |
Paris Saint-Germain |
20 |
10 |
1 |
Forwards
Deschamps has an embarrassment of riches to choose from in attacking areas. Kylian Mbappe, who is one goal away from becoming France’s all-time top goalscorer, will undoubtedly start barring any injury.
Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele has also been called up, as has Michael Olise, who is one of the main contenders to win the Ballon d’Or in 2026.
PSG duo Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola will also be on the plane, as will Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram, Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche and Man City’s Rayan Cherki.
There’s also a spot for Jean-Philippe Mateta, who gets in ahead of Randal Kolo Muani. The Tottenham Hotspur loanee famously had a golden opportunity to win the World Cup for his side in the dying moments in 2021, only to see his strike well saved by Emiliano Martinez, and now won’t get a chance to redeem himself this summer.
|
France’s 2026 World Cup squad – forwards |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Club |
Age |
International Caps |
International Goals |
|
Kylian Mbappe |
Real Madrid |
27 |
96 |
56 |
|
Ousmane Dembele |
Paris Saint-Germain |
28 |
58 |
7 |
|
Michael Olise |
Bayern Munich |
24 |
15 |
4 |
|
Rayan Cherki |
Manchester City |
22 |
5 |
1 |
|
Desire Doue |
Paris Saint-Germain |
20 |
6 |
2 |
|
Bradley Barcola |
Paris Saint-Germain |
23 |
18 |
3 |
|
Marcus Thuram |
Inter Milan |
28 |
33 |
3 |
|
Maghnes Akliouche |
Monaco |
24 |
7 |
1 |
|
Jean-Philippe Mateta |
Crystal Palace |
28 |
3 |
2 |
Arsene Wenger: France Are 2026 World Cup Favourites
Legendary football manager Arsene Wenger believes France are the favourites to win the trophy in July. He said, per talkSPORT:
“In my opinion, (England) will be one of the favourites of the World Cup. They are always nearly there to win it. The semi-final, quarter-final, final. And they have to make the next step. They have the quality to do it.
“I still believe in Europe, personally, by trying to be as objective as possible, that France is the super favourite, just for one reason.
“It’s the country that has more world-class strikers than any other country in the world. And by having four knockout stage (matches), to have such a bench and such a quality on the bench, will make a difference.”
Sports
Chelsea Eyeing Aurelian Tchouameni as Real Madrid Plot Swap Bid Deal for Enzo Fernandez
Chelsea are prepared to let Enzo Fernandez leave this summer in a £120m deal, and they are eyeing a potential move for a Real Madrid star as the Spanish giants plot a swap deal, according to TEAMtalk.
The Blues had a poor season and finished tenth in the Premier League, while they lost the FA Cup final to Man City to end the campaign trophyless and without any European football at all.
Now the Argentina midfielder is understood to have told the club he wants to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, and the Spanish giants are one of the clubs considering making a move for him.
Real Madrid Plot Enzo Fernandez Swap Deal
Fernandez is understood to dream of a move to the Bernabeu, and has publicly flirted with the idea of a move to Madrid, which earned him a two-game suspension from the club.
But Madrid are believed to hold an interest in the former Benfica star, and they are willing to make an offer of players-plus-cash to Chelsea in order to find an agreement on his valuation, which they currently feel is too high.
It’s reported that Chelsea are keen on Aurelien Tchouameni, who has been described as the ‘best defensive midfielder in the world’, as a potential option, but as it stands Real Madrid don’t want to let him leave.
Eduardo Camavinga is another player who the Chelsea hierarchy see as an option to help offset the potential departure of Fernandez, while it’s understood that the Blues have also made enquiries to Real Madrid about youngsters Jacobo Ramon and Chema Andres over the last 12 months.
Real Madrid hold buy-back options on both players, having sold them to Como and Stuttgart respectively last summer, but they are considering triggering those options. Chelsea are understood to be open to a conversation involving the moving parts, but talks are currently only at an exploratory stage rather than anything more advanced.
Chelsea Need Experience Not More Prospects
With Xabi Alonso set to arrive this summer, the west London know that they need to bring in more experienced options to improve their squad.
Losing Enzo would be a blow, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world, and Tchouameni in particular is someone who thrived under Alonso at Real Madrid last season during his brief spell in charge. Adding more balance to the squad could be the ideal way to get them back to where they feel they belong, and he does that.
While Andres and Ramon are very talented players, they don’t immediately improve the Chelsea team, and that is what would be needed to replace Enzo.
Man City Make Decision on Signing £100m Star Enzo Maresca Loves
Manchester City are not interested in a £100m move for Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez this summer
Sports
Bruno Fernandes Names English Club He Almost Joined Before Man Utd
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has opened up on one of the most uncertain moments of his early career, admitting he questioned whether he was even good enough as a teenager.
The Portuguese midfielder, now regarded as one of the Premier League’s elite creators, revealed he was close to leaving Udinese only weeks after joining the club in 2013.
‘Movements’ – Fabrizio Romano Shares Big Man Utd Future Update on Bruno Fernandes
Fabrizio Romano has shared a big update on the future of Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes had signed from Novara at the age of 19 after being identified by then-manager Francesco Guidolin. However, with Udinese having a large squad and uncertainty over his immediate role, it quickly left the midfielder questioning his future.
Speaking on The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett, Fernandes reflected on the moment his confidence took a major hit before his career stepped up a gear.
Bruno Fernandes Nearly Joined EFL Championship Club
The midfielder admitted he had already packed his bags after being informed he would likely leave on loan before the transfer window closed.
“I was on the edge of coming to Watford on loan, because it’s the same owners [as Udinese].
And I said, ‘But why can’t I make it here? What did I do wrong?’”
Watford, owned by the Pozzo family, who have famously sacked 22 managers in 14 years of ownership, also owned Udinese until 2025. During the summer of 2013, seven of Udinese’s players made their way to England to join the Hornets, and Fernandes was supposed to be the eighth, much to his dismay:
“I was like, ‘What have I done? I wasn’t good enough?’ They called me to the hotel to pack my stuff, because it was the last days of the window. I packed my stuff.”
Despite his concerns, Udinese sporting director Cristiano Giaretta eventually contacted him to confirm the move was off, with Guidolin deciding he wanted the youngster to remain at the club.
From a Potential Watford Move to Manchester United Captain
The decision proved to be a major turning point in Fernandes’ career. After developing further at Udinese, he later joined Sampdoria on loan in 2016, before making the move that truly elevated his reputation, when he returned home to Portugal and joined Sporting Lisbon.
Man Utd signed Fernandes in January 2020 for £47 million, with the playmaker quickly becoming one of the club’s standout performers during what’s been a difficult period for the Red Devils. He was named club captain just three years later and has since established himself as one of the Premier League’s most productive midfielders.
Fernandes has now made 327 appearances for United, scoring 107 goals and providing 108 assists across all competitions.
The Portugal international also enjoyed a record-breaking Premier League campaign this season, registering his 21st assist on the final day to set a new record for the most assists in a single season.
Sports
Arsenal Close to Deal to Sign Jeremy Monga Ahead of Man Utd and Man City
Arsenal may have won the Premier League title this season, and they have a Champions League final to come this weekend, but they are not ready to rest on their laurels.
The Gunners are understood to be keen to strengthen their squad this summer despite their excellent campaign, with Mikel Arteta looking to bolster the side and add more quality and competition for places.
But he is also looking towards the future for his signings, as are the club higher ups, and they now have confidence that they are set to seal the arrival of one of the best young talents in England ahead of some direct rivals.
Arsenal Confident of Sealing Jeremy Monga Deal
According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal are growing in confidence that they can seal a deal for Leicester City starlet Jeremy Monga this summer.
The winger, who has been described as ‘the next Ousmane Dembele’, is expected to leave the King Power Stadium after they were relegated to League One after a nightmare campaign, and he has attracted the attention of some of Europe’s top clubs.
However, Monga is understood to be intent on staying in England at this stage of his career, and the 16-year-old winger is believed to be closer to a move to north London, despite interest from Man City and Manchester United.
Offers have been tabled and talks held, but Arsenal’s pathway plans, development structure, and recent success with involving elite young talents in the first-team picture are all understood to have made a big impression in the winger and the team around him.
Leicester expect to lose the forward following their relegation, and Arsenal are now very confident that Monga will be the next elite talent to come off their conveyor belt and into the first-team.
Monga a Major Coup for Arsenal
Arsenal have got some of the best young players in the world in their squad at the moment. Myles Lewis-Skelly, Max Dowman, Marli Salmon, and Ethan Nwaneri are all in and around the first-team at the Emirates Stadium, and have all been given opportunities by Arteta.
So it’s no surprise that Monga, who has excelled in a poor Leicester team as a teenager, would be excited about the prospect of making the move to the reigning Premier League champions, and continue his fine development in the coming years.
His skill set is excellent for a top club, and beating off direct rivals to secure his arrival would be the cherry on top of the cake.
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Arsenal have a strong interest in bringing him to the Premier League
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