Injuries see France name weakened but formidable squad for World Cup title defence

France coach Didier Deschamps has named the side that will attempt to become the first to successfully defend their FIFA World Cup crown since Brazil in 1968.

Adil Rami of France and his team-mates celebrate victory with the FIFA World Cup trophy (Getty)

Adil Rami of France and his team-mates celebrate victory with the FIFA World Cup trophy (Getty) Source: Getty

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Deschamps has only named 25 players of the available 26 spots and his side will begin their title defence on November 22 against Australia in Group D, which also includes Denmark and Tunisia.

The big names of France are mostly present, but Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante are big absences from the squad, with injuries keeping them out.

France are appearing in their 16th World Cup, a competition they have won on two occasions (1998, 2018).
Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris will lead the way as captain, playing in his fourth World Cup.

Central defender Raphael Varane (Manchester United) was included in the squad despite the fact he is still recovering from injury.

Varane, 29, left the pitch upset after suffering a leg injury in United's 1-1 draw at Chelsea on October 22, with subsequent scans confirming a torn hamstring for the centre-back.

Varane has returned to training in recent days, though he is not expected to play in any of Manchester United’s fixtures ahead of the World Cup.
In the midfield, injury problems abound, with Kante ruled out with a hamstring injury and Pogba suffering a succession of setbacks. The Juventus star tried his best to get fit and recover from a meniscus injury in time for the World Cup, but suffered another setback in his attempts to return, later confirming his absence from the tournament.

Deschamps has some decisions to make in midfield without his two main stars, but still has a wealth of talent at his disposal.

Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema and Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe will likely lead the way in attack for Les Bleus, with Bronze Ball winner Antoine Griezmann also part of a formidable collection of offensive threats.

France squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cupᵀᴹ

Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Rennes)

Defenders: Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Raphael Varane (Manchester United)

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Matteo Guendouzi (Marseille), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Jordan Veretout (Marseille)

Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig)

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3 min read
Published 10 November 2022 1:06pm
By Jamie Finch-Penninger
Source: SBS


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