This Monday morning, at the dawn of a new era for French football, Didier Deschamps held a solemn press conference at the headquarters of the French Football Federation in Boulogne-Billancourt. In front of a packed room of journalists, former internationals and cameras from around the world, the coach unveiled the list of 26 players selected for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tension was palpable. The Blues remain the 2018 title holders and finalists in 2022, and the ambition is immense: to bring back a third star on the jersey.
The roster, overall, exudes strength and experience. There we find the usual executives like Antoine Griezmann, who despite his 35 years remains an indisputable technical leader, Olivier Giroud, still decisive in major events, or even N’Golo Kanté, whose return to the highest level surprised everyone. Young talents from Euro 2024 and qualifying also have their place: Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Warren Zaire-Emery and Bradley Barcola bring the necessary freshness and explosiveness.
In attack, the confirmed presence of Marcus Thuram, Christopher Nkunku and Ousmane Dembélé promises formidable offensive bursts. The defense, led by Dayot Upamecano, Jules Koundé and William Saliba, appears to be one of the strongest in Europe.
However, as soon as the names were announced, a wave of astonishment crossed the country. Two absences immediately overshadowed the rest of the news: that of Kylian Mbappé and that of Paul Pogba. Yes, you read that correctly. The Real Madrid captain, considered by many to be the best player in the world, and the Juventus midfielder, despite his recurring problems, were simply sidelined. The emotion is national.
Social networks exploded in a few minutes, television sets multiplied the fiery debates, and supporters, gathered in front of bars or in public squares, still struggle to believe it.
Didier Deschamps, questioned at length about these choices, tried to justify his decision with his usual calm, but the pill does not go down well. “Kylian is an exceptional player, an extraordinary talent who has won almost everything. But after in-depth discussion with him and his entourage, we felt that the time was not the right time to integrate him into this collective project. He is going through a complicated period physically and mentally, and we have to think about the balance of the group,” said the coach.
Concerning Paul Pogba, the tone was even firmer: “Paul has immense talent, but the last few months have shown persistent discipline and physical condition problems. I cannot afford to take risks on a player who is not at 100% of his abilities, especially in such a demanding competition. »
These explanations did not convince many people. Kylian Mbappé, aged 27 in 2026, remains the emblematic figure of French football. After his record transfer to Real Madrid, he continued to pile up goals and records. His speed, technique and leadership on the field make him an irreplaceable asset. His absence raises many questions: is it a personal dispute with Deschamps? From a hidden injury? Or a strategic choice to prepare for the post-Deschamps era, when the coach should give up his place after the World Cup? Rumors are rife.
Some talk about tension linked to managing the locker room, others talk about accumulated fatigue after grueling seasons. Mbappé himself has not yet reacted publicly, but his silence speaks volumes.
For Paul Pogba, the story is even more painful. The “Polpo” made an emotional return to the French team after complicated years marked by injuries and extra-sporting affairs. His presence during qualifying gave hope to many. His technique, his vision of the game and his influence in midfield remain unique. His exclusion is perceived by part of the public as an excessive sanction, almost a betrayal towards a player who wore the blue jersey during the 2018 victory.
Supporters of Manchester United, Juventus and the French team are already mobilizing on the networks to demand his return.
Beyond these two absences, the list revealed by Deschamps arouses a mixture of admiration and questions. The group is young, ambitious, and has rare squad depth. Goalkeepers Mike Maignan, Brice Samba and Alban Lafont offer a solid hierarchy. The central hinge, with Ibrahima Konaté and Lucas Hernandez as reinforcements, seems impregnable. In the middle, the Tchouaméni-Camavinga duo could become one of the most dominant pairs on the planet. In attack, competition will be fierce between Thuram, Kolo Muani, Barcola and returnees like Kingsley Coman.
International observers praise the overall quality of this French team. Several Spanish, English and Brazilian media already place her among the big favorites of the competition. Vinicius Jr’s Brazil, Messi’s Argentina (if the latter still plays), Bellingham’s England and Van Dijk’s Netherlands will be the main opponents. But without Mbappé, France loses a weapon of mass destruction capable of making the difference on its own in knockout matches.
On a media level, the shock wave is immense. TF1, France 2 and L’Équipe devote special editions to the event. Former players like Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry expressed their surprise. “Kylian is the present and the future of French football. Ruling him out is an extremely risky bet,” Henry said on air. On the side of the supporters, disappointment gradually turns into anger. Online petitions are already circulating calling for a review of the list, although this is impossible under FIFA regulations.
Didier Deschamps, true to himself, remains stoic. At 57 in 2026, he is undoubtedly experiencing his last major competition at the head of the Blues. His track record is exceptional: 2018 world champion, 2022 finalist, winner of the Nations League. It focuses on collective cohesion rather than individualism. “Football is a team sport. We need players who fully adhere to our project, who are ready to sacrifice themselves for the collective,” he repeated during the conference.
The coming weeks will be crucial. The team will meet for a preparation camp at Clairefontaine before playing high-intensity friendly matches. The pressure is already enormous. The Blues will have to prove that this team, even without two of its biggest stars, remains capable of dominating the world. The history of football is full of surprises and twists and turns. Who knows if the absence of Mbappé and Pogba will not, paradoxically, be the trigger for a new victorious epic?
In the meantime, France is holding its breath. The shock is real, the disappointment deep, but the hope remains intact. Blues supporters, known for their passion and resilience, are already mobilizing to support this new generation. The 2026 World Cup promises to be one of the most exciting in history, and France, even without its two jewels, remains a serious candidate for the title. The journey has only just begun, and as always with the Blues, the unpredictable remains the only certainty.