France name World Cup squad: Kylian Mbappe, Rayan Cherki lead star-studded attack | OneFootball

France, among the favourites this summer, have named a star-studded World Cup squad, with Kylian Mbappe and Rayan Cherki headlining. NY Times reports that Didier Deschamps confirmed his selection on Thursday.

The forwards include Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Desire Doue, Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Marcus Thuram, alongside Mbappe and Cherki.

France are in Group I with Senegal, Iraq and Norway, opening against Senegal at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on 16 June. After losing the 2022 final, they chase a third title after 1998 and 2018.

Eduardo Camavinga was omitted. Randal Kolo Muani also missed out, as did Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul despite 19 Ligue 1 goals.

Mateta’s rise is striking. First capped in October, the Crystal Palace striker returned from a knee lay-off to score twice against Newcastle in April and has been central to Palace’s run to the Europa Conference League final.

Maxence Lacroix was included, and RC Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser earned a first call-up as third choice behind Mike Maignan and Brice Samba, preferred to PSG’s Lucas Chevalier and West Ham’s Alphonse Areola.

Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike will miss the tournament after rupturing his Achilles tendon during last month’s Champions League tie with Paris Saint-Germain.

Such depth gives Deschamps selection puzzles, and Cherki could start on the bench. March friendlies brought wins over Colombia, 3-1, and Brazil, 2-1. Warm-ups precede Senegal, against Ivory Coast on 4 June in Nantes, then Northern Ireland on 8 June in Lille.

Source: NY Times