France head coach Didier Deschamps has officially announced his squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with big names such as Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante missing out through injury.
SA-Born Player Going To World Cup!
The world champions will be aiming to defend their crown in the Middle East over the course of the next month, despite there being high-profile changes to Deschamps' roster.
Juventus midfielder Pogba has been ruled out due to a knee injury, while Chelsea star Kante is unavailable, having made just two appearances for the Blues since the 2022/23 campaign got underway.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe will spearhead Les Bleus' attack in Qatar, alongside 2022 Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema, who has not participated in a World Cup since the 2014 edition.
In-form AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud has also been included in the squad, while Manchester United's Antony Martial has been overlooked in favour of Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele.
Martial's club colleague Raphael Varane has been declared fit following a hamstring issue, with Arsenal's impressive 21-year-old centre-back William Saliba confirmed to have been selected by Deschamps.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Alphonse Areola (West Ham United), Steve Mandanda (Rennes)
Defenders: Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Raphaël Varane (Manchester United), Presnel Kimpembe Paris Saint-Germain), William Saliba (Arsenal), Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich), Théo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (AS Monaco), Mattéo Guendouzi ( Olympique Marseille), Jordan Veretout (Olympique Marseille), Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)
Attackers: Ousmane Dembélé (Barcelona), Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid), Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig)
France will take on Australia, Denmark and Tunisia in Group D.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments
WATCH VIDEO: