Coach Didier Deschamps has assembled a World Cup squad brimming with attacking firepower, led by Kylian Mbappe, while rewarding goalkeeper Robin Risser for his explosive season with a place in the tournament lineup.
Deschamps, who guided France to glory at the 2018 World Cup and will step down after this edition, delivered few surprises when he announced his 26-man roster on Thursday.
However, Risser, who plays for Lens, has been one of the revelations of the Ligue 1 season and was named best goalkeeper earlier this week. He played a key role in helping Lens boast the second-best defense in Ligue 1 and was chosen by Deschamps as the third-choice goalkeeper behind Mike Maignan and Brice Samba.
Aiming for a third World Cup title, France are among the top contenders for the tournament taking place in Canada, Mexico and the United States from June 11 to July 19.
France are in Group I, where they will face Senegal, Iraq and Norway in the group stage.
Mbappe is expected to captain the side, despite a thigh injury sustained last month that caused him to miss key Real Madrid matches in the final stretch of La Liga.
The 27-year-old star will be joined in North America by a formidable attacking force that includes Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, rising talents Desire Doue, Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki and Maghnes Akliouche.
Cherki will make his World Cup debut after an impressive first season at Manchester City at age 22.
Deschamps also called up Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was preferred over Randal Kolo Muani. The Tottenham striker had been a late addition to France's previous World Cup squad four years ago. Kolo Muani scored against Morocco in the semifinals and came close to becoming a national hero in the final before France lost to Argentina on penalties.
Deschamps' reign began in 2012, saw France win the 2018 World Cup and reach the final in 2022.
Legend Zinedine Zidane is expected to take over, although he has not coached since ending his second stint in charge of Real Madrid, leading the Spanish giant to three Champions League titles and two La Liga crowns.
France squad for World Cup 2026:
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Brice Samba, Robin Risser.
Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde, Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano.
Midfielders: N'Golo Kante, Manu Kone, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, Warren Zaire-Emery.
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram.
