Deschamps Names 26-Player France Squad for U.S. Friendlies as Mbappé Returns
The U.S. friendlies serve as Deschamps’ final on-field audit ahead of his May 13 World Cup squad announcement.
Overview
- France will face Brazil on March 26 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough and Colombia on March 29 at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.
- Kylian Mbappé is included after a knee injury and featured off the bench in Real Madrid’s midweek Champions League win, with expectations he will lead the attack.
- Goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier makes the list despite losing his PSG starting spot and not playing since late January.
- The selection underscores attacking depth with nine forwards and includes seven Premier League–based players such as William Saliba, Ibrahima Konaté, Malo Gusto, Lucas Digne, Rayan Cherki, Randal Kolo Muani and Hugo Ekitike.
- Deschamps set May 13 for the final World Cup roster reveal, and France are drawn in Group I with Senegal, Norway and an intercontinental playoff winner.