Feature I Chevalier, Fati, Morton: Ligue 1’s World Cup absentees XI | OneFootball

Numerous – 79, to be precise – are the Ligue 1 players set to represent their countries at the 2026 World Cup. Numerous others, however, have been left out by the respective national team coaches for various reasons. With the tournament about to kick off, Get French Football News presents its XI of the most notable omissions from the French football elite.

Goalkeeper: Lucas Chevalier (24) – PSG, France

When he joined Paris Saint-Germain last summer, Lucas Chevalier was undoubtedly hoping to take his young career to the next level. However, things did not go quite as planned. A first-team regular in the first half of the season, the Calais-born player gradually saw his place in the Parisian goal taken by his substitute, Matvey Safonov.

Eventually, he found himself permanently relegated to the bench by the Russian. Despite being backed and called up by Didier Deschamps in March, Chevalier has ultimately paid the price for a lack of playing time, with his last appearance on the pitch now dating back to 23rd January. A real descent into hell for a player for whom the summer is already shaping up to be a major turning point.

Right-back: Vanderson (24) – AS Monaco, Brazil

When it comes to ‘frustrating’ players, Vanderson certainly ranks high on the list. Whether it’s down to his undeniable but unfulfilled potential or his all-too-rare peak physical condition, this 2025–26 season has once again highlighted the issue.

Regularly sidelined, the versatile full-back has featured in just 23 of AS Monaco’s 47 matches this season, contributing only two assists. A record too meagre to convince Carlo Ancelotti to include Vanderson among his 26-man squad for the World Cup.

Centre-back: Malang Sarr (27) – RC Lens, Senegal

Malang Sarr’s story is one of a comeback. One of a forgotten player during his time at Chelsea, but who has been reborn since joining RC Lens. A key figure in Les Sang et Or’s remarkable 2025-26 season, the centre-back has, unsurprisingly, seen his performances rewarded with a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season.

However, this was not enough to convince Pape Thiaw, the Senegal manager, to take him to the United States. A decision the 45-year-old manager stood by, preferring to keep Sarr as a reserve option.

Centre-back: Charlie Cresswell (23) – Toulouse FC, England

Charlie Cresswell was certainly too far behind to make a credible bid for a place in the England squad for the World Cup. In four years’ time, however, the story could be very different.

Having enjoyed another fine season with Toulouse FC, the 23-year-old defender now seems ready to take his game to the next level. Fortunately, the Premier League looks set to welcome him back this summer.

Left-back: Matthieu Udol (30) – RC Lens, France

At the age of 30, Matthieu Udol has undoubtedly just enjoyed the best season of his career. Signed by RC Lens from FC Metz last summer, the left-sided attacking full-back has settled perfectly into the system put in place by Pierre Sage.

Not only has this allowed him to prove decisive on 13 occasions (three goals, 10 assists) in 40 appearances for Les Sang et Or, but more importantly, has led to speculation about a potential first call-up to the France squad. Which speaks volumes about the upward trajectory Udol has been on in recent months.

Midfielder: Tyler Morton (23) – Lyon, England

Unused by Arne Slot, it was with the desire to really kick-start his career that Tyler Morton decided, a year ago, to leave Liverpool FC, the club where he came through the ranks, to try his luck across the Channel. And it proved to be a good move.

Quickly establishing himself in Olympique Lyonnais’ midfield, the Wallasey-born player enjoyed a relatively successful first season in France, despite apparent fatigue building up over the final weeks of the campaign. Still, it’s enough to allow him to harbour high hopes for the years ahead.

Midfielder: Corentin Tolisso (31) – Lyon, France

Although Corentin Tolisso has never made a secret of his desire to return to the French national team, he has no regrets about not having the opportunity to represent his country this summer. “I’ve had the best season of my career,” he explained after the match between Olympique Lyonnais and RC Lens, a few days after Didier Deschamps’ squad was announced. And with good reason.

Back to his best, Les Gones’ captain has indeed enjoyed a remarkable campaign, notably scoring 15 goals and providing six assists in 39 matches. A call-up would have been a fitting reward, but that’s the way football is. It can be cruel.

Attacking midfielder: Ansu Fati (23) – AS Monaco, Spain

Having struggled for many months, Ansu Fati has used his move to AS Monaco to get back to full fitness. Not quite enough to become a first-team regular under Sébastien Pocognoli, but sufficient to establish himself as a top-class substitute.

His goal-scoring rate of one goal every 110 minutes (30 appearances, 13 starts) speaks for itself. A return to form that nevertheless came too late for him to hope to represent Spain at the World Cup – his last appearance for La Roja was back in October 2023 – but one that bodes well for his future with the national side.

Right-winger: Florian Thauvin (33) – RC Lens, France

Returning to the French national team in 2025 had certainly given him ideas. And plenty of hope. Yet it is very much as a fan that Florian Thauvin (33) will experience the American World Cup. A real disappointment for the RC Lens forward, who has had a fine season with Les Sang et Or (14 goals and 10 assists in 37 matches across all competitions), for whom the ambition to return to the world’s premier tournament was never a secret.

But up against the man who lifted the trophy in 2018, the competition this time proved too fierce, too ruthless. Thauvin was part of a golden generation. The time has now come for its heir to take up the mantle.

Left-winger: Afonso Moreira (21) – Lyon, Portugal

It’s a short step from being a ‘nobody’ to becoming a revelation. Just ask Afonso Moreira. The embodiment of a budget-conscious Olympique Lyonnais, the Portuguese player seized the opportunity he was given to make his mark in the Rhône region, even though his role was still to be defined when he arrived from Sporting CP last summer.

A year and a stroke of fate later (Malick Fofana’s early injury), Moreira is now a key player in Paulo Fonseca’s team. And perhaps one who would not have gone amiss in Rudi Garcia’s side.

Striker: Emmanuel Emegha (23) – RC Strasbourg Alsace, Netherlands

As controversial as he may be, Emmanuel Emegha remains a talented player nonetheless. Unfortunately, the Den Haag-born player has had too few opportunities to demonstrate this in recent months. Plagued by several injuries throughout the season, the Dutchman made just 18 appearances (eight goals, two assists) for RC Strasbourg Alsace during the 2025-26 campaign.

For this reason, Ronald Koeman decided to leave him out of the World Cup squad, a tournament Emegha had hoped to feature in with the Dutch national team. A blow for the 23-year-old, who had nevertheless wanted to stack the odds in his favour to be part of the squad. Even willing, in his eagerness to gain greater visibility, to announce his departure to Chelsea as early as September.

GFFN | Léo Aschi