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
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
Mike Maignan
Brice Samba
Robin Risser
Defenders
William Saliba
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
Dayot Upamecano
William Saliba
Ibrahima Konaté
Lucas Hernandez
Malo Gusto
Jules Koundé
Lucas Digne
Theo Hernandez
Maxence Lacroix
Midfielders
Aurelien Tchouameni
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
Adrien Rabiot
Aurélien Tchouaméni
N'Golo Kanté
Manu Koné
Warren Zaïre-Emery
Forwards
Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring a goal in France's victory against Ukraine
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
Kylian Mbappe
Ousmane Dembele
Michael Olise
Rayan Cherki
Desire Doue
Bradley Barcola
Marcus Thuram
Maghnes Akliouche
Jean-Philippe Mateta
Arsene Wenger: France Are 2026 World Cup Favourites
FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development Arsene Wenger speaking
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."