France name World Cup squad: Kylian Mbappe, Rayan Cherki lead star-studded attack

Mbappe won the Golden Boot in the 2022 World Cup and will hope to replicate that form this summer Xavier Laine/Getty Images Share articleFrance, one of the favourites to win the World Cup this summer, have announced their star-studded squad for the tournament. Manager Didier Deschamps named a squad filled with an eye-catching array of attacking talent on Thursday. In the forward positions, Deschamps can choose from an illustrious list comprising of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Desire Doue, Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Marcus Thuram. France have been drawn in Group I alongside Senegal, Iraq and Norway and kick off their campaign against Senegal at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on June 16. After losing out to Argentina in the 2022 final, they will hope to win a third World Cup following success in 1998 and 2018. The most obvious one was the absence of Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga — especially as he’d been called up for the March friendlies. However, he’s endured a tough season at Real Madrid, with Thiago Pitarch ahead of him in the pecking order. He also made a costly mistake for Real against Bayern in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, when he was given a second yellow card for kicking the ball away. With Mateta in, that meant no place for Randal Kolo Muani — on loan at Tottenham Hotspur this season — who almost won the 2022 World Cup for France in the 123rd minute of the final. Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul also missed out, despite being the top scorer in Ligue 1 this season, with 19 goals. Perhaps the most intriguing selection was that of Crystal Palace striker Mateta. Mateta only received his first international call up in October, but that was largely owing to the absence of injured PSG pair Dembele and Doue. However, seven months later, he has made the World Cup squad. It’s an impressive achievement given what’s happened since then. Mateta wasn’t named in France’s squad for their March friendlies, following a knee injury that kept him out for over a month. A proposed move to AC Milan fell through in the January transfer window with the Italian club opting against pursuing a deal because of that injury. Mateta then had to win back the support of the disgruntled Palace fans, who were aware the forward had wanted to leave. In the meantime, the club had forked out a record fee on Jorgen Strand Larsen, whom Mateta has since usurped in the team. Two goals against Newcastle United in April sparked Mateta back to life, and he has played an important role in helping Palace to the Europa Conference League final. At the Paris Olympic Games in 2024, Mateta formed a strong partnership with Olise, his old Palace teammate, as they finished with a silver medal. Mateta’s current Palace teammate Maxence Lacroix was also named in Deschamps’ squad, after receiving his first call up in March. In goal, RC Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser was rewarded for his fine club form this season, with a first call up to the national squad. He was picked as third-choice goalkeeper, behind Mike Maignan and Brice Samba, and was selected ahead of PSG’s Lucas Chevalier and West Ham United’s Alphonse Areola. Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike, who enjoyed an excellent first season in England, will sadly miss the tournament after rupturing his Achilles tendon during their Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain last month. In a statement, released by the French Football Federation the day after his injury, Deschamps said: “Hugo is one of about 10 young players who have made their debuts for the national team in recent months. He had integrated perfectly into the group, both on and off the pitch. This injury is a huge blow for him, obviously, but also for the French national team.” It’s the perfect problem to have, but France’s formidable squad presents Deschamps with selection headaches across the team, especially on the left side of attack. It’s possible that Cherki, who has shone for Manchester City this season, could start on the bench. But there are tough choices to make all over the pitch. In central defence, for example, Deschamps can only choose two from Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Ibrahima Konate and Lacroix. At France’s last major tournament, the 2024 European Championship, Deschamps also faced grumblings over his style of play, with France only scoring four goals in their six matches at the tournament. In spite of that, France still reached the semi-final, where they lost to the eventual winners, Spain. Deschamps changed things up for the Nations League campaign and World Cup qualifying campaigns that followed — with Michael Olise taking on an important role in the No. 10 position — and France arrive at the tournament in firing form. They will have been buoyed by their positive results in their recent March friendlies in the United States, defeating Colombia 3-1 and Brazil 2-1. With the attacking riches at Deschamps’ disposal, expectations are high for France to deliver this summer, and play with more freedom and panache than at Euro 2024. France play two friendlies before their opening World Cup game against Senegal on June 16. First up is Ivory Coast on June 4 at FC Nantes’ Stade de la Beaujoire, before they face Northern Ireland — who failed to qualify for the tournament — on June 8 at Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (Lens), Brice Samba (Rennes) Defenders: Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Lucas Hernandez (Paris Saint-Germain), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal) Midfielders: Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), N’Golo Kante (Fenerbahce), Manu Kone (Roma), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain) Forwards: Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain), Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan), Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Desire Doue (Paris Saint-Germain), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms