France manager Didier Deschamps has unveiled his 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup, with Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele leading a formidable attacking lineup.
Mbappe, who needs just two goals to surpass Olivier Giroud as France's all-time leading men's scorer, will captain the side despite recent recovery from a thigh injury. Dembele, fresh off a stunning season with Paris St-Germain that saw him net 35 goals and win the Champions League, aims to finally break his World Cup scoring drought after being part of the previous two squads without finding the net.
The attacking quartet is rounded out by Bayern Munich's Michael Olise and PSG's Desire Doue. Manchester City playmaker Rayan Cherki and Arsenal defender William Saliba are among seven Premier League representatives in the squad.
Veterans Lucas Hernandez and N'Golo Kante join Mbappe and Dembele as the only survivors from the 2018 World Cup-winning team. Deschamps, set to step down after this tournament, made some tough choices, omitting Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga and Tottenham's Randal Kolo Muani, who both featured in 2022.
Notable absentees include PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier and Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in April. Uncapped Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser joins Brice Samba as backup to Mike Maignan.
"It's a squad, not necessarily the 26 best players. It's about balance and how the team comes together," Deschamps told TF1. "I can imagine how disappointed Camavinga must be. He had a tough season with limited playing time and injuries, but I have decisions to make."
France begin their campaign against Senegal in New Jersey on June 16, followed by Group I matches against Iraq (June 22) and Norway (June 26).
Full France World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (Lens), Brice Samba (Rennes)
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: N'Golo Kante (Fenerbahce), Manu Kone (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG)
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Rayan Cherki (Man City), Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Desire Doue (PSG), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)