Didier Deschamps rarely springs surprises, yet history shows he sometimes does | OneFootball

Didier Deschamps is due to unveil his 2026 World Cup squad on Thursday night. According to L'Équipe, his reign seldom brings shocks, although history shows they do occur.

The reference point for surprises remains Raymond Domenech selecting Pascal Chimbonda before 2006. Deschamps became more daring later in his tenure, recalling Karim Benzema for Euro 2021 and N'Golo Kanté for Euro 2024.

Usually, outlines of his choices leak early, allowing him to frame debate, as with Hatem Ben Arfa before Euro 2016.

In 2014, injuries to Steve Mandanda, Franck Ribéry and Clément Grenier forced late changes, while Antoine Griezmann had already emerged and Éric Abidal looked unlikely to travel. For Euro 2016 he omitted Mathieu Valbuena and Benzema amid the sextape affair, and Mamadou Sakho during a suspension later overturned.

There were few major shocks in 2018 beyond Steven Nzonzi over Adrien Rabiot, who refused a standby role, and Alexandre Lacazette’s omission despite a 2-1 brace in Germany. The biggest jolt came with Benzema’s recall after more than five years out on the eve of Euro 2021, when whispers only surfaced a day earlier, while Jules Koundé debuted.

Before the 2022 World Cup, injuries dictated most late changes, much of the initial list having been flagged by autumn. By late May 2024, nothing suggested a Kanté comeback from Saudi Arabia, while uncapped Bradley Barcola was in the conversation. On Thursday night, the line between a genuine surprise and a tight selection call may again be thin.

Source: L'Équipe