Didier Deschamps sticks with continuity in final pre-World Cup squad | OneFootball

Didier Deschamps has named a 26-man France squad for the United States tour, keeping faith with familiar faces and introducing no newcomers for friendlies against Brazil on 26 March and Colombia on 29 March.

According to L'Équipe, the head coach expanded the group to manage two matches in quick succession and an early Tuesday departure from Clairefontaine, noting that overseas tours are not ideal competitively. He is targeting three options per position, a balance he said can be achieved with 23, 24 or 25 players.

The party will fly to Boston, with numbers up from the 25 who went to Euro 2024. Game time is set to be shared across the two fixtures, and there are nine forwards selected, including Kylian Mbappé, who returned for Real Madrid on Tuesday after a left knee problem. Deschamps said the medical protocol had been followed and stressed the captain’s wish to be there as a player, not for marketing.

Ousmane Dembélé is back after his injury against Ukraine in the 2-0 on 5 September. Randal Kolo Muani, without an appearance since last June and enduring a difficult season at Tottenham, is recalled, with Deschamps valuing his familiarity with the group.

The coach signalled that openness has given way to consolidation ahead of June, when Boston will also serve as base camp. He is not convinced a 26-man World Cup squad is necessary, and suggested most of this group should still be in the frame on 13 May, while adding that nothing is fixed.

With four months until 19 July, when his chapter with France could close after a World Cup final if all goes well, Deschamps has already been saying his goodbyes to long-serving FFF staff.

Source: L'Équipe