Didier Deschamps just dropped his France squad for the World Cup qualifiers, and it’s got everyone talking! With a wealth of attacking talent, who made the cut and who was left out? You won’t believe some of the names missing! Find out which stars are heading for Ukraine and Iceland, and whose World Cup dreams are on hold.
Didier Deschamps, the esteemed manager of the French national team, recently unveiled his much-anticipated squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for two crucial encounters. Faced with an enviable depth of talent, particularly in the attacking department, Deschamps’ selections are always under intense scrutiny, as every decision carries significant weight on France’s path to the global tournament.
The Les Bleus contingent is set to tackle Ukraine first in a critical away fixture on September 5, held at Ukraine’s temporary home in Wroclaw, Poland. Following this, the squad will return to home turf to host Iceland at the iconic Parc des Princes just four days later. These matches are pivotal for France’s ambition to top UEFA Group D, which would grant them automatic qualification for the next year’s finals in North America, bypassing the challenging playoff round.
France enters this qualification campaign with the recent memory of their valiant performance at the 2022 World Cup, where they reached the final. Despite a spectacular hat-trick from Kylian Mbappé, they ultimately fell short in a penalty shootout against a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina, a stark reminder of the fine margins at the highest level of international football.
One of the most significant talking points surrounding Didier Deschamps’ latest call-ups is the surprising omission of Hugo Ekitike. The 23-year-old forward has enjoyed an electrifying start to his career in England since his transfer to Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt, consistently finding the back of the net in every competitive game he has played for the Reds. His five goals in as many outings for the France Under-21s further highlight his impressive scoring prowess.
However, despite Ekitike’s undeniable form and potential, Deschamps has elected not to include him in the senior squad. This decision underscores the incredible squad depth within the French attacking ranks, where elite talents are competing for a limited number of spots. The sheer quality available to the France National Team manager makes every selection a complex balancing act, often leading to difficult choices regarding promising young players for the Football Squad.
The formidable attacking roster boasts a plethora of world-class forwards, making it incredibly challenging for any newcomer to break through. Other talented individuals who are also pushing for a place in the squad, including players who spent time on loan at prominent clubs, have similarly missed out due to the intense competition. This scenario reflects the current golden generation of French football, characterized by an abundance of skilled athletes.
Deschamps addressed the media regarding some of his selections, specifically mentioning a promising wide player, stating, “He had a good season with Monaco; he can still improve his efficiency, but he does interesting things.” Such comments offer insight into the manager’s meticulous evaluation process, where current form, tactical fit, and potential for improvement all play a role in shaping the final France football squad for these crucial World Cup Qualifiers.
As the Didier Deschamps selection faces its first tests, the focus will undoubtedly be on how the chosen players perform under pressure. The path to the 2026 tournament in North America is long and arduous, and these early UEFA Football Group D matches will be vital in establishing momentum and asserting France’s dominance in the qualification campaign. Every match is a stepping stone towards achieving their ultimate goal on the international stage.
