On January 8, Didier Deschamps announced that he would leave his post as coach of the French team after his contract in 2026. “I have been there since 2012. I have been planned until 2026, the next World Cup, but it will stop there because it is necessary at one point. In my head, it's very clear. I had my time with the same desire, the same passion to maintain the French team at the highest level. We never want it to stop when it is a beautiful thing. Afterwards, you have to know how to say stop. There is a life after. I don't know what it will be but it will be very good too ”he had explained to the microphone of TF1 And Lci. A little over two months later, DD will again talk about his decision this Thursday at a press conference. Before that, the former OM coach unveiled the list of the 24 Blues selected during this March 2025 rally.
A rally during which the French team will face Croatia twice in the 1/4 final of the League of Nations. The first leg will take place on Thursday, March 20 at 8:45 p.m. at Stadion Poljud in Split. The return will take place on Sunday, March 23 at 8:45 p.m. at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. For this double confrontation, the tricolor coach called on Kylian Mbappé (26). Absent during the last two rallies in October and November, KM9 is present this time, he who should also recover without any problem the captain's sheep of the French team. Aurélien Tchouameni also returned, he who was injured last November. Capable of evolving in central defense, the Real Madrid player returns to his post in the midfield. Excellent news for France, which will also count on his teammate in club Eduardo Camavonga.
Mbappé and Dembélé are back
In good shape at PSG, where he stacks the goals, Ousmane Dembélé also finds the Blues. Touched at the right ischio five months ago, he could not honor his selection. He will be there this time. This does not do the business of Kingsley Coman and Christopher Nkunku, who had been called by DD to replace him as well as KM9. If all is better for Dembouz and Mbappé, there were doubts this time concerning the presence of Marcus Thuram. Regularly called by Deschamps, the inter -striker suffers from the ankle. His trainer, Simone Inzaghi, even confessed that her player has been playing under infiltration for some time. Despite this, DD and his staff decided to summon it for this gathering. It will be one of the options in the offensive sector, where Bradley Barcola, Michael Olise and Randal Kolo Munani, for whom happiness is in the loan to Juventus Turin; are present.
While his name was cited as a potential surprise, desired Goué, which was followed by the staff, is in the list. Author of good performances in the PSG jersey, the former Rennes player was rewarded for his efforts. In the midfield, the return of Aurélien Tchouamed was fatal for N'Golo Kanté. For the guards, Deschamps and his team were in uncertainty. Called for the first time last November, Lucas Chevalier is again there, just like Mike Maignan and Brice Samba, who could be threatened as No. 2. On the other hand, Alphonse Areola is again absent, he who finds playing time in West Ham. Finally, defense is the same as in November. A month when Benjamin Pavard had returned after the Wesley Fofana package. All these little people will meet on Monday to start working in Clairefontaine.
The complete list of Blues
Guardians: Lucas Chevalier (LOSC), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Stade Rennais)
Defenders: Jules Koundé (FC Barcelona), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), William Saliba (Arsenal), Theo Hernandez (Ac Milan), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Benjamin Pavard (Inter)
Environment: Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain), Adrien Rabiot (OM), Eduardo Camavonga (Real Madrid), Mattéo Guendouzi (Lazio), Aurélien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Manu Koné (AS Roma)
Attackers: Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Randal Kolo Muani (Juventus), Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain)
