Didier Deschamps, the coach of the French national team, has unveiled the list of 25 players called up to play at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Clever centre-forward Olivier Giroud and experienced statesman Steve Mandanda are among the chosen ones, as well as Marseille’s Jordan Veretout and breakout Premier League stars William Saliba and Ibrahima Konaté.
Mike Maignan, Jonathan Clauss, Moussa Diaby, Marcus Thuram, Lucas Digne, Alban Lafont and Wissam Ben Yedder will not be there which paints a very clear picture of the depth of ‘Les Bleus’. As a reminder, the dazzling midfield duo behind France’s 2018 World Cup success Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté are both injured and out of the squad.
On the goal line, there are no surprises: Hugo Lloris, Alphonse Aréola and Steve Mandanda. Mike Maignan will not be there.
“If he is not in the list of players, it will not be possible for him to be ready for the match. The players arrive in Clairefontaine on Monday lunchtime and we won’t have three weeks to prepare,” said Deschamps.
The French coach gave away some key information before facing the Socceroos on Tuesday 22 November such as the “return of a four-man defence in order to defend well and better”. This tactical change has seen attacking wing-back Jonathan Claus removed from the squad as Deschamps is set to return to the defensively solid formation which brought them success in 2018 where he used full-backs instead of wing-backs.
Deschamps’ switch to a back three to accommodate his rich attacking weapons has been the subject of much criticism, particularly as France struggled for form at UEFA Euro 2020 while playing that system before being bundled out of the tournament in the Round of 16 by Switzerland.
The defensive part of their squad is impacted by various states of form, but Didier Deschamps assured that “all players are supposed to be fit for the first match”. He mentioned the return of Presnel Kimpembe with Paris Saint-Germain this weekend. Raphael Varane is in the process of getting himself back to full fitness. Asked about the numerous central defenders (editor’s note: eight by formation), the French coach mentioned that some of them are capable of playing in several positions.
Immediately, Jules Koundé springs to mind as a potential option to start at right-back despite being naturally more suited to the centre of defence. The prodigious talent has starred in a lateral role for FC Barcelona this season and looks set to bring defensive solidity to the right side of France’s defence while also retaining the capacity to step into midfield.
Among the midfielders, Camavinga was chosen because “his versatility is an advantage”, as was Konaté because he is “not in the European champion team (Liverpool) for nothing”. Didier Deschamps has jostled his list because of absences in midfield with Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté. Six selected players (Youssouf Fofana, Jordan Veretout, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Mattéo Guendouzi, Eduardo Camavinga and Adrien Rabiot) were not present at the 2018 World Cup. Rabiot was a reserve player at the time and refused the role. Despite these two important absences, DD still “has full confidence in the selected players”.
On the attacking front, Olivier Giroud has made his return to Les Bleus. “It’s better for the French team,” he said, as his “situation has evolved on and off the pitch after 2021” and after discussing the matter with people in the dressing room.
Karim Benzema, who won the Golden Ball this year, is also set to be fit to play against Australia despite other reports suggesting that he is still battling an injury.
Deschamps explained that from Thursday, everyone will have Australia at the forefront of their mind as they look to defend their World Cup crown.
France World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Steve Mandanda (Rennes).
Defenders: Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Raphaël Varane (Manchester United), Presnel Kimpembe (PSG), William Saliba (Arsenal), Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich), Théo Hernandez (Milan), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich).
Midfielders: Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Mattéo Guendouzi (Marseille), Jordan Veretout (Marseille), Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)
Attackers: Ousmane Dembélé (Barcelona), Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Milan), Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid), Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig).
Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images
