Mbappé to Lead France in Deschamps' Last World Cup

Kylian Mbappé will lead France’s bid for World Cup glory after coach Didier Deschamps named a largely unchanged 26-man squad on Thursday for this summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Mbappé, recovering from a thigh injury suffered during Real Madrid’s title run-in, is still expected to captain the team.

Deschamps, who guided France to World Cup glory in 2018 and will leave his role after the 2026 edition, included few surprises in the lineup. "It's a squad. Not necessarily the 26 best players. It's about balance and how the team comes together," Deschamps explained to the press. "The overriding and essential criterion (for selection) is a sporting one," he added.

Despite the injury, the 27-year-old Mbappé will join the team as part of an impressive forward line that includes Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembélé and Desiré Doué of Paris Saint-Germain, as well as Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise.

Rayan Cherki is set to make his World Cup debut. The 22-year-old playmaker has enjoyed an outstanding debut season at Manchester City, while his Premier League counterpart William Saliba of Arsenal will offer defensive strength for Les Bleus. Full-back Lucas Hernandez and midfielder N'Golo Kante, along with Mbappé and Dembélé, are the only players remaining from Deschamps' World Cup-winning squad from eight years ago in Russia.

The complete squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan/ITA), Robin Risser (Lens), Brice Samba (Rennes)
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa/ENG), Malo Gusto (Chelsea/ENG), Lucas Hernandez (Paris Saint-Germain), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal/KSA), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool/ENG), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace/ENG), Jules Kounde (Barcelona/ESP), William Saliba (Arsenal/ENG), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich/GER)
Midfielders: N'Golo Kante (Fenerbahce/TUR), Manu Kone (Roma/ITA), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan/ITA), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid/ESP), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG)
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City/ENG), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Desiré Doué (PSG), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/GER), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid/ESP), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace/ENG), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan/ITA)

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)