France announces World Cup squad with Mbappe, Dembele leading attack
France coach Didier Deschamps unveiled his 26-man squad for World Cup 2026, with Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and PSG's Ousmane Dembele leading the attack. Mbappe (56 France goals) and Dembele (Ballon d'Or winner) headline seven Premier League players including Arsenal's William Saliba and Man City's Rayan Cherki. Lucas Hernandez and N'Golo Kante remain from France's 2018 World Cup-winning team.
France kicks off Group I against Senegal in New Jersey on June 16, then faces Iraq on June 22 and Norway on June 26. Backup goalkeeper Robin Risser joins the uncapped squad after Lucas Chevalier's omission, while Liverpool's Huge Ekitike is sidelined with an Achilles injury.
With France's strong Premier League representation and opening match against Senegal, Nigerian fans have multiple connection points to follow the tournament. Will you track Premier League players, watch the France-Senegal rivalry, or follow Mbappe's recovery from his thigh injury?