Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele lead France’s attacking lineup for the 2026 World Cup with two goals away from becoming the nation’s top scorer.
Captain and Ballon d'Or star Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele will headline France’s attack at the 2026 World Cup after Didier Deschamps revealed his 26-man roster. Only Olivier Giroud, with 57 goals, has scored more than Mbappe’s 56 for France, and the Real Madrid forward is set to captain despite recent thigh injury issues. Dembele, who won the Champions League with Paris St-Germain last season, claimed the Ballon d'Or last year but is still searching for his first World Cup goal despite two prior tournament appearances. The squad also features Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise and Dembele’s PSG teammate Desire Doue, forming a dynamic attacking group.
Premier League presence in squad Seven players based in the Premier League feature in Deschamps’ squad, including Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki and Arsenal defender William Saliba. Bayern Munich full-back Dayot Upamecano and midfielder N’Golo Kante join Mbappe and Dembele as the sole survivors from France’s 2018 World Cup-winning squad. Deschamps, who guided France to consecutive World Cup finals, included several unexpected selections in his final major tournament lineup.
Surprise omissions from squad Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga and Tottenham’s Randal Kolo Muani, both key figures in 2022, were left out of the squad. Another notable exclusion is PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, while uncapped Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser was chosen over Brice Samba as second-choice behind Mike Maignan. Liverpool striker Huge Ekitike, sidelined by an Achilles injury in April, was a predictable absence from the roster.
Deschamps explains squad choices Deschamps emphasized the importance of balance and team cohesion over individual brilliance when announcing the squad. “It’s a squad. Not necessarily the 26 best players. It’s about balance and how the team comes together,” he told TF1. He acknowledged the disappointment of excluded players like Camavinga, noting his tough season with limited playtime and injuries, but stressed the necessity of tough decisions in selecting the final group.
France’s World Cup schedule France will open their 2026 World Cup campaign against Senegal in New Jersey on 16 June, followed by Group I matches against Iraq on 22 June and Norway on 26 June. The squad’s composition reflects Deschamps’ blend of experience and emerging talent ahead of the tournament.
Complete France 2026 squad
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (Lens), Brice Samba (Rennes).
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (Paris St-Germain), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich).
Midfielders: N’Golo Kante (Fenerbahce), Manu Kone (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris St-Germain).
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (Paris St-Germain), Rayan Cherki (Man City), Ousmane Dembele (Paris St-Germain), Desire Doue (Paris St-Germain), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).