While the coach of the Blues, Didier Deschamps, will unveil this Thursday March 19 his last list before the 2026 World Cup for the friendly matches against Brazil and Colombia, a question still animates the supporters: will Corentin Tolisso finally be recalled? Author of solid performances in recent months, the OL midfielder seems to have regained a level worthy of the France team. If he deserves his place given his current form, the real question remains whether Didier Deschamps will decide to reopen the doors of the selection to him. A debate which is increasingly agitating fans of the Blues, and of OL, as the announcement of the list approaches. During the last gathering last November, Didier Deschamps justified the absence of Corentin Tolisso in his own way: “what is Tolisso missing then? He’s not missing anything. Why is he not on the list? Because I have players and there is competition, that’s it”.
For his part, the captain of Olympique Lyonnais has stepped up his calls in recent weeks. “I’m going to answer the same thing as I answered previously, but of course I want to go back. It’s been a while since I’ve been there. I work every day to get back there, it’s a goal, it’s one of my goals for the season, I’m determined”he indicated on the microphone of League 1+ after the draw against PFC (1-1). The native of Tarare, in the Rhône, also added: “I know that it comes through good performances with my club. I also know that my club must win, must achieve good results to hope to be there. But that doesn’t stop me from believing in it. In any case, I’m doing everything to be there, that’s for sure. But if I’m not there, one thing is certain, it’s that I will have zero regrets. In the end, we will see the choices that are simply made”. Answer this Thursday…
Fierce competition in the middle
Several executives, however, have a head start on the 31-year-old Lyonnais, like Aurélien Tchouaméni, Adrien Rabiot, Manu Koné and Eduardo Camavinga. Other contenders remain in direct competition with him, such as Warren Zaire-Emery, N’Golo Kanté or Khéphren Thuram. Conversely, certain midfielders currently seem to be behind in the hierarchy, notably Mattéo Guendouzi, Youssouf Fofana and even Boubacar Kamara, who is injured. Fofana also confided in The Team : “if the year ended now and I didn’t get called up, I wouldn’t be nervous pooping. There are players who did well in all the qualifications. » Enough to still leave hope for Corentin Tolisso in the race for a place with the Blues. Zaire-Emery has been quite excellent with PSG since 2026, both at right-back and at the heart of the game, and is probably the one who has the best chance of being there as well.
But if we refer to his latest list, it is indeed Kanté who will have his place, he who joined Turkey and Fenerbahce during the last winter transfer window. “He maintains his level of performance, with a certain rhythm. He is always at his best. He has a background and an experience which are also important”explained Didier Deschamps about the 2018 World Champion at a press conference. Very good with Juventus since the start of the season, Khephren Thuram was called in as reinforcement after Camavinga’s injury withdrawal on November 12, which suggests that he too is unanimous among the staff.
We must also not forget that Didier Deschamps’ list could extend to 26 players for the World Cup. If the coach already decided to opt for this expanded format from this Thursday, Corentin Tolisso’s chances of appearing there would logically increase. However, this hypothesis remains quite unlikely, Deschamps having rarely favored such a large list for friendly matches. Especially since certain offensive profiles like Michael Olise, Désiré Doué, Rayan Cherki or even Maghnes Akliouche can also be considered as midfielders in the balance of the list, which could further reduce the chances of the former Bayern Munich player.
But Corentin Tolisso deserves to be there
Already author of several remarkable performances in 2025 and with a successful individual season with 10 goals and 6 assists, Corentin Tolisso confirms his rebirth in Lyon. This season, the OL captain, who could have seen the club slide towards Ligue 2, is walking on water with already 11 goals in 31 games. An exemplary captain, versatile, passer, scorer and penalty taker, Tolisso has all the caps and shines at the highest level, like his hat-trick in the Europa League against Tel-Aviv (0-6), to the point that several big names are campaigning for his return to the French team. Alexandre Lacazette did not hide his support for his former teammate. The NEOM striker in Saudi Arabia posted a story on Instagram to demand the return of Tolisso to the selection: “@equipedefrance Hello”.
Make your list of 26 for the World Cup
His teammate Abner praised his importance at a press conference: “I’ve been here for a year and a half. He played almost all the matches at the top, and of course he must return to the selection. There is a real difference on the pitch when he is there. » Even Paulo Fonseca doesn’t understand: “I respect all of Deschamps’ decisions, but if I were in his place, I would have no doubts. It’s not a pressure for him. France has many good players, it is a country which is among the best in Europe and the world. I am Coco’s trainer, I know him well and I see his involvement. » Clearly, everything is in place for Corentin Tolisso to play again under the orders of Didier Deschamps. The decision is now in the hands of the coach.
