Simply over eight months stay till the FIFA World Cup 2026, and qualifying campaigns throughout most continents are approaching their decisive phases. Europe is not any exception, and one of many prime contenders there’s France. The newest squad contains Kylian Mbappe and notably excludes Ousmane Dembele.
On Thursday, the complete listing of 23 gamers chosen by head coach Didier Deschamps was introduced for the October worldwide break, when France will face Azerbaijan and Iceland in Group D of the European qualifiers.
As anticipated, Mbappe is the star of the squad. The 26-year-old ahead has been in excellent type with Actual Madrid at the beginning of his second season there and can proceed to be a key determine in Deschamps’ system, simply as he has been in recent times.
Nevertheless, the opposite main French star won’t be obtainable. Ousmane Dembele isn’t among the many 23 gamers known as up for the worldwide break, which means he gained’t get the possibility to showcase his latest Ballon d’Or win in entrance of the French followers.
Dembele’s absence is because of harm. The winger has been sidelined for practically a month due to a hamstring harm he suffered whereas enjoying for France through the September worldwide break. Because of this, he has missed Paris Saint-Germain’s final 5 matches, together with this week’s 2–1 UEFA Champions League win over Barcelona.
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France’s full squad for the October worldwide break
Alongside Ousmane Dembele, one other key absence is Aurelien Tchouameni. The Actual Madrid midfielder should serve a two-match suspension after being despatched off in France’s final sport in opposition to Iceland, and thus won’t be obtainable for the October fixtures.
The 23 gamers known as up by Didier Deschamps are:
- Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier, Mike Maignan, Brice Samba
- Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano
- Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga, Manu Kone, Michael Olise, Adrien Rabiot, Khephren Thuram
- Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Kingsley Coman, Hugo Ekitike, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappe, Christopher Nkunku
France’s place within the World Cup qualifiers
After two matches, France lead Group D within the World Cup qualifiers with 6 factors, holding a 3-point benefit over second-place Iceland. Additional behind are Ukraine and Azerbaijan, every with 1 level. If Deschamps’ squad wins each of its October matches, it is going to be on the point of qualification. Nevertheless, to clinch it instantly, France may even want Iceland to drop factors in opposition to Ukraine. In any other case, qualification must wait till November.
