Didier Deschamps confirms 25-man France squad for 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar

France head coach Didier Deschamps has confirmed the team’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will be played in Qatar. Deschamps has picked a 25-man squad for the quadrennial event and admitted that it was not easy to finalize the squad.

Bayern Munich’s Lucas Hernandez, Dayot Upamecano, Benjamin Pavard, and AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez have made the cut.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)’s Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe, Barcelona’s Jules Kounde, Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate, Arsenal’s William Saliba, and Manchester United’s Raphael Varane have also secured their places in the squad.

Players like N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba will miss the coveted tournament due to their respective injuries.

France will begin their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign on November 22 against Australia. The defending champions will also play Denmark and Tunisia on November 26 and November 30, respectively, in Group D.

French manager said (via Get French Football News): “To be totally honest, this has not been the easiest selection. It is the same for all the other national team managers. Players recovering from injury, players who got injured last night, who could get injured tonight.”

France squad for 2022 World Cup:

Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham United), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Steve Mandanda (Stade Rennais).

Defenders: Raphael Varane (Manchester United), Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), William Saliba (Arsenal), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Presnel Kimpembe (PSG), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool).

Midfielders: Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Matteo Guendouzi (Olympique Marseille), Jordan Veretout (Olympique Marseille), Youssouf Fofana (AS Monaco), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus).

Attackers: Kylian Mbappe (PSG), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona), Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig).