National coach Didier Deschamps has announced France’s World Cup squad. Raphaël Varane, who injured his hamstring in the game with Manchester United against Chelsea (1-1), is coming to Qatar. Jonathan Clauss, Anthony Martial, Boubacar Kamara, Lucas Digne and Ferland Mendy have lost weight.
Deschamps will call on goalkeepers Hugo Lloris, Alphonse Areola and Steve Mandanda in Qatar. It is no surprise that the former has been called up, as Lloris is the captain of Les Bleus. Areola and Mandanda were also there in Russia. Lloris will have fond memories of the 2018 World Cup, as he was then allowed to hold up the World Cup as captain after winning the final against Croatia (4-2).
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Deschamps is also confident that Varane will be fit in time for the World Cup. It seemed to be a race against time after his injury, but the central defender has been found fit enough to go to Qatar. Arsenal sensation William Saliba, who has made an excellent impression in his first season in the Premier League, can also prepare for the World Cup. Dayot Upamecano, Matthijs de Ligt’s partner in the center of the defense at Bayern Munich, has also been called up. Digne dropped out at the last minute for France. Lucas and Theo Hernández will come along.
In the midfield, a place has also been reserved for the nineteen-year-old top talent Eduardo Camavinga. That is not surprising, given that strong holders N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba have had to miss the World Cup due to an injury. Deschamps has also called up Mattéo Guendouzi, Christopher Nkunku and Jordan Veretout, among others. For these three it will be the first World Cup in their career. Adrien Rabiot and Aurélien Tchouameni are also present in Qatar.
In the attack, Deschamps takes the brand new Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, as well as Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud, Kingsley Coman, Ousmane Dembélé and Antoine Griezmann. The French therefore have one of the best offensive lines of the World Cup. Les Bleus are in the group with Australia, Denmark and Tunisia. Deschamps’ team starts the tournament against Australia on November 22.
Full World Cup squad France:
Goalkeepers: Lloris, Mandanda, Areola.
Defenders: Koundé, Pavard, Varane, Saliba, L. Hernández, Kimpembe, T. Hernández, Upamecano, Konaté.
Midfielders: Fofana, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Rabiot, Veretout, Guendouzi.
Attackers: Mbappe, Giroud, Benzema, Griezmann, Nkunku, Coman, Dembele.