2022 World Cup: France announces 26-man squad to tournament

France head coach, Didier Deschamps, has named his 26-man squad to the 2022 World Cup.

Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema are included in the.

Benzema’s fitness isn’t a worry to France staff despite the forward missing Real Madrid’s final games due to muscular fatigue.

Defending champions France will take just 10 players from the squad that lifted the title in Russia in 2018. Key midfield stars Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante miss out through injury.

Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has been selected despite suffering a knee injury last month. Varane’s rehabilitation is going well though and he could be ready for the opening game against Australia on Nov. 21.

Forward Olivier Giroud, who is two goals shy of Thierry Henry’s all-time national scoring record of 51 goals, was also included.

Giroud was recalled in March after a nine-month hiatus following the team’s early Euro 2021 exit and has been in good form for AC Milan.

“He knows where he stands. He knows what my position is. It’s better for the French team that he is with us,” Deschamps, who will have to trim his squad to 23 by Monday, said.

Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe, who has just returned to training, is also included, as is highly-rated Madrid teenager Eduardo Camavinga.

Provisional France squad at 2022 World Cup

Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola, Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda.

Defenders: Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe, Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde, Benjamin Pavard, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Raphael Varane.

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga, Youssouf Fofana, Matteo Guendouzi, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, Jordan Veretout.

Forwards: Karim Benzema, Kingsley Coman, Ousmane Dembele, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe, Christopher Nkunku.