Penultimate test before the big jump for the 2026 World Cup, which will mark the end of Didier Deschamps’ glorious parenthesis at the head of the France team (June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico). Barring an earthquake, the Blues will secure their ticket for the World Cup during this break, after having pushed back the deadline last month following their draw in Iceland (2-2).
A success against Ukraine on November 13 at the Parc des Princes will be enough for them to secure first place in the group. If they do not win, they will have to wait until their last match in Baku against Azerbaijan, three days later, to celebrate their qualification. In view of these two meetings, Didier Deschamps unveiled this Thursday his list of 24 players selected, which will also be his last for this year 2025.
Cherki back
In line with expectations, Mike Maignan will be supported by Lucas Chevalier and Brice Samba in goals. In the axis, the quartet William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konaté, and Lucas Hernandez is renewed by Deschamps. No surprise on the right, where Jules Koundé and Malo Gusto have taken a serious option on Jonathan Clauss. On the left, Lucas Digne and Theo Hernandez also confirm their lead over the competition. In midfield, Aurélien Tchouameni, injured at the last minute, and Adrien Rabiot, also affected, are out. Eduardo Camavinga is well remembered.
Manu Koné is also there, as is Warren Zaire-Emery, back after returning to the Espoirs box in October. N’Golo Kanté is also there. Up front, DD will be able to count on Kylian Mbappé, phenomenal since the start of the season, Michael Olise, or even Hugo Ekitike. Rayan Cherki and Bradley Barcola are also back after their withdrawals during the last rally, like Randal Kolo Muani, absent since June and his turbulent summer. The absences of Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé and Marcus Thuram, too short, made it possible to reopen the door to the selection for Jean-Philippe Mateta. Florian Thauvin and Kingsley Coman, however, are absent.
The full list:
Guardians: Lucas Chevalier (Paris Saint-Germain), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Stade Rennais)
Defenders: Theo Hernandez (Al-Hilal), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Jules Koundé (FC Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Lucas Hernandez (Paris Saint-Germain)
Environments: Manu Koné (AS Roma), Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), N’Golo Kanté (Al-Ittihad)
Attackers: Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Randal Kolo Muani (Tottenham), Christopher Nkunku (AC Milan), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)
