France, in an official announcement have confirmed their squad for the March 2026 international break with just a few days left to the World Cup.
France head coach Didier Deschamps has revealed his 26-man squad for the upcoming international break, which sees Les Bleus travel to the United States for high-profile friendlies against Brazil (March 26) and Colombia (March 29).
This window serves as the final audition for players before Deschamps names his definitive squad for the 2026 World Cup on May 13. The headline news is the inclusion of captain Kylian Mbappé, who returns to the national fold despite recently nursing a knee injury that sidelined him for several Real Madrid fixtures.
Key Inclusions and Recalls
- Kylian Mbappé Returns: After missing several weeks of club action, the captain is back. Deschamps noted that Mbappé’s desire to play was “clear,” and his fitness will be monitored following Real Madrid’s clash with Atlético Madrid this weekend.
- Tchouaméni and Rabiot Back: Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouaméni and AC Milan’s Adrien Rabiot both return to the midfield after missing previous camps due to injury.
- Pierre Kalulu’s Opportunity: With Barcelona’s Jules Koundé ruled out due to a thigh injury, Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu has been called up to provide cover at right-back.
Surprise Omissions and Injury Woes
The most notable absence is PSG winger Bradley Barcola, who has been ruled out with a severe ankle ligament sprain. His misfortune has opened the door for his club teammate, Désiré Doué, to rejoin the senior setup.
Chelsea fans will find a silver lining in the squad list, as Malo Gusto has retained his place in the defense, though teammate Wesley Fofana was a high-profile omission. Meanwhile, despite losing his starting spot at PSG, goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier has been included as the third-choice option behind Mike Maignan and Brice Samba.
Full France Squad (March 2026 US Tour)
| Position | Players |
| Goalkeepers | Mike Maignan (Milan), Brice Samba (Rennes), Lucas Chevalier (PSG) |
| Defenders | Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Theo Hernandez (Al-Hilal), Pierre Kalulu (Juventus), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich) |
| Midfielders | Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), N’Golo Kanté (Al-Ittihad), Manu Koné (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (Milan), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG) |
| Forwards | Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Rayan Cherki (Man City), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Désiré Doué (PSG), Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool), Randal Kolo Muani (Tottenham), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter) |
World Cup Preparation
France will be based in Boston for their U.S. tour, treating the trip as a “rehearsal” for the World Cup environment. Deschamps emphasized that versatility is his priority, noting that players like Zaïre-Emery and Camavinga are being tested for their ability to provide emergency cover at full-back.
With only two months until the final roster is submitted to FIFA, the pressure is on the likes of Hugo Ekitike and Rayan Cherki to solidify their places in what remains one of the most competitive forward lines in international football.