"Deschamps, who guided France to World Cup glory in 2018 and will leave after this tournament, included few surprises in his announcement of the 26-man squad on Thursday. France coach Didier Deschamps has assembled a World Cup squad with formidable attacking talent led by Kylian Mbappe, while rewarding goalkeeper Robin Risser following his breakthrough season with a call-up for the showpiece tournament."
"Risser, though, who plays for Lens, has been one of the revelations of the French league season and won the award for best goalkeeper earlier this week. He played a big role in making Lens the second-best defence in Ligue 1 and was selected by Deschamps in a No. 3 role behind Mike Maignan and Brice Samba."
"Mbappe will likely captain the team, despite a thigh injury sustained last month, which caused him to miss key matches in Real Madrid's La Liga run-in. The 27-year-old will be on the plane to North America as part of an impressive attacking force which includes Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, rising star Desire Doue, Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki and Maghnes Akliouche."
"Deschamps also called up Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was preferred to Randal Kolo Muani. The Tottenham striker had been a late addition to France's previous World Cup squad four years ago. Kolo Muani scored a goal against Morocco in the semi-finals and came close to becoming a national hero in the final, before France lost to Argentina in a penalty shootout."
Didier Deschamps named a 26-man France squad for the World Cup with Kylian Mbappe as the leading attacking figure. Robin Risser earned a call-up after a breakthrough season with Lens, where he helped deliver the second-best defense in Ligue 1 and won best goalkeeper. The squad includes major attacking options such as Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, and Maghnes Akliouche, with Cherki set for a World Cup debut. Jean-Philippe Mateta was selected over Randal Kolo Muani. Mbappe is expected to captain despite a thigh injury that caused him to miss key matches. France will play Senegal, Iraq, and Norway in Group I.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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