The dream team. Yesterday, Didier Deschamps unveiled the list of 26 Blues who will conquer the 2026 World Cup. If some were sure of being there, others were uncertain. This was the case for Eduardo Camavinga. The midfielder has always had DD’s trust, in good times and bad. At 23, the French international with 29 caps hoped to add a few to the World Cup. This, despite a very complicated season at Real Madrid, both collectively and individually (42 matches, 2 goals and 1 assist). However, he was aware that he could perhaps pass by the wayside.
In recent days, several French media have revealed that there were doubts about his participation, even if the trend was rather positive. Last night, the verdict came in. Camavinga will not play the 2026 World Cup, unless there is a last minute withdrawal. A terrible disillusionment for the former Rennais, who experienced difficult times this year, notably when he was judged guilty of the elimination of Real Madrid in the Champions League against Bayern Munich. DD, who has often reached out to him, decided not to do so this time. He explained this very painful decision.
A logical but unexpected absence
“I can imagine his disappointment… Cama is coming off a difficult season, he has played less, he has had injuries too, he is a player who came very early with us, he is still a young player, but I have choices to make, there is a list structure, I have to distribute between defenders, midfielders, attackers, I understand his immense disappointment this evening… What made him lose his place? His season obviously, even if he had some injuries, and the competition is very, very strong. After this announcement, the Camavinga case caused a lot of talk in France and abroad.
“Called up for the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024, Eduardo Camavinga has not really shone with Real recently. He pays the costs”launched Le Figaro. L’Equipe talks about it as one of the “big losers”. In Spain, where he plays for a club, his absence is also being talked about. “Didier Deschamps revealed his list for the World Cup, and Eduardo Camavinga is not on it. The Real Madrid midfielder will therefore not participate in the competition this summer, which was to be his second World Cup. After a disappointing club season, he suffered another hard blow.writing Marca. El Pais launched: “Camavinga does not participate in the World Cup: Deschamps excludes the Real Madrid player from the list of French players (…) The biggest surprise, especially for Spanish supporters, is the absence of Real Madrid midfielder, Eduardo Camavinga.”
A surprise for the foreign press
A.S. speaks of a “global blow for Camavinga” and a major setback for the community, before adding: “this selection is a real surprise, because just a few hours ago, the presence of Camavinga seemed certain. The Franco-Angolan’s checkered season at Real Madrid weighed heavily in Deschamps’ final decision. At first inclined to summon him, he finally opted for absence after careful consideration. Camavinga is excluded from a major international competition for the first time since 2021, the year he missed the Euro. La Cadena SER, who says of him that he is “the great absentee”wrote about him: “Eduardo Camavinga will not participate in the 2026 World Cup. Didier Deschamps has revealed his roster for the FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada, and the biggest surprise is the absence of the Real Madrid midfielder. The Madrid player was an indisputable starter under the French coach, but Deschamps decided not to include him in his list, which he announced publicly and live on French television.
As for the Blues’ opponents, his absence is also mentioned. In Senegal, Wiwisport commented: “surprisingly, Eduardo Camavinga was left aside.” SeneNews also gave his opinion. “Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga has been left out of the list of 26 players selected by Didier Deschamps for the 2026 World Cup. This absence could change the situation during the long-awaited match against the Senegal team.” In Norway, Dagbladet evokes a “forgotten star” when talking about the Madrid player. A footballer who must now digest this hard blow and move forward to return stronger to Real Madrid but also to the French team.
