France boss Didier Deschamps has named a 25-man squad for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. So, who joins Kylian Mbappe and William Saliba in Les Bleus’ best XI to defend their title?
FIFA has allowed teams to include up to 26 players for the 22nd edition of its quadrennial tournament. Past editions only allowed squads of up to 23 players. But the Bureau of FIFA Council approved an increase to the limit in June due to the timing of the 2022 World Cup.
Deschamps has elected against naming a full squad after losing some key players to injury. N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba helped France win their second World Cup title yet at Russia 2018. But the Chelsea and Juventus stars are sidelined with hamstring and thigh problems.
Chelsea confirmed Kante would miss the World Cup in Qatar after he required surgery in October. While Pogba was already in a race against time to prove his fitness to Deschamps after knee surgery in the summer. The Juventus star suffered a thigh issue in his recovery.
Deschamps has called Manchester United defender Raphael Varane up for his World Cup squad despite an injury, though. The centre-back will not play in the Premier League again before the FIFA tournament pauses the division. But he should recover from a thigh injury.
Deschamps announces a 25-man France squad for the 2022 Qatar World Cup
The French Football Federation (FFF) announced Deschamps’ 25-man squad for the 2022 Qatar World Cup on Wednesday. He has included three goalkeepers, nine defenders, six midfielders and seven forwards in Les Bleus’ bid to defend their crown from Russia 2018.
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Alphonse Areola (West Ham United), Steve Mandanda (Stade Rennais)
Defenders: William Saliba (Arsenal), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Lucas Hernandez, Dayot Upamecano, Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Raphael Varane (Manchester United)
Midfielders: Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Matteo Guendouzi, Jordan Veretout (Marseille), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco)
Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kylian Mbappe (Paris St-Germain), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
So, with Deschamps naming his squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, HITC Football has taken a look at who joins Mbappe and Saliba in France’s best XI to defend their 2018 title…
Hugo Lloris (GK): The Tottenham stopper will captain France’s squad in Qatar
Tottenham captain Lloris will skipper the France ship in Qatar as he looks to lift a second World Cup title. The 2022 edition is also the 139-cap 35-year-old’s fourth tournament. He has played all but one of Les Blues’ 15 games over the 2010, 2014 and 2018 tournaments.
Benjamin Pavard (RB): Deschamps has created a challenge with his plans for Qatar
Deschamps has created a challenge for his defenders after indicating France will tackle the 2022 World Cup with a back-four. Les Bleus have often used a three-man central defensive core since winning the title in 2018. But Deschamps will want the likes of Pavard to adapt.
“Completely different,” Pavard has told L’Equipe. “As a wing-back, you play almost in two positions and you have to be much more offensive. As a full-back, the most important thing is to know how to defend well and then you can go and attack if you feel there is space.”
William Saliba (CB): The Arsenal star has quickly become a key player for France
Saliba has quickly become a key player for France at 21 years old. Deschamps handed the Arsenal star his debut in March after impressing on loan to Marseille. He has now started four of his seven caps from eight fixtures and will travel to Qatar in peak, composed form.
Raphael Varane (CB): The Manchester United star’s injury should not hurt France
Varane missing Manchester United’s final Premier League game before the World Cup due to his injury should not hurt France. Instead, the 29-year-old should head to Qatar ready to maintain his presence in Deschamps’ plans to help retain his nation’s 2018 World Cup title.
Theo Hernandez (LB): Deschamps discovered France’s new left-sided threat in 2021
Deschamps discovered France’s new left-sided threat in September 2021 when he gave AC Milan left-back Hernandez his debut. The 25-year-old had represented his country at U18, U19, U20 and U21 levels previously. He now has a goal and four assists in seven senior ties.
Aurelien Tchouameni (CM): The Real Madrid ace must now fill Pogba’s void
Deschamps will be looking for Tchouameni to fill Pogba’s void with the Juventus midfielder missing the World Cup through injury. The €100m (£87m) Real Madrid ace has started nine of his 14 caps so far. The 22-year-old has also been key since joining Los Blancos in June.
Matteo Guendouzi (CM): The Marseille man has a chance to shine in Qatar
Marseille ace Guendouzi will have a chance to shine in Qatar with Deschamps not fixed on Tchouameni’s partner. The France boss has tried Boubacar Kamara, Fofana and Camavinga in Kante’s role. But Deschamps appears most convinced by Guendouzi filling the position.
Kingsley Coman (RM): The Bayern Munich star can put his 2018 injury behind him
Deschamps has given Coman a chance to put sitting out Russia 2018 due to an ankle injury behind him after announcing the Bayern Munich ace in France’s World Cup squad. The 26-year-old required surgery that February and would not recover in time for Les Blues’ plane.
Antoine Griezmann (LM): The Atletico Madrid ace was pivotal for France in 2018
Atletico Madrid forward Griezmann was pivotal to France’s bid to win the 2018 World Cup. The 110-cap forward recorded four of his 42 goals and three of his 32 assists in Russia. His haul included assisting the sole goal in their semi-final and a goal and an assist in the final.
Kylian Mbappe (ST): A chance to back up his Best Young Player tournament in 2018
Mbappe will arrive in Qatar as the reigning Best Young Player award winner at a World Cup after thrilling in Russia. The PSG forward became just the third teenager to win the gong in 2018. At just 19, Mbappe struck four goals – including one in the final – and also an assist.
Karim Benzema (ST): France have the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner in their World Cup squad
France have the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner in their World Cup squad with Real Madrid striker Benzema. The Galacticos captain produced a tremendous 2021/22 campaign with 44 goals and 15 assists to lead his Santiago Bernabeu side to Champions League and La Liga glory.
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