World Cup 2022: France head coach Didier Deschamps announce only 25-man squad to defend the title

Head coach for the France national team, Didier Deschamps has settled on only 25-man squad for the World Cup.

France have named William Saliba, Ibrahima Konate and Olivier Giroud in their World Cup squad as they aim to defend the title.

Manchester United defender Raphael Varane is also selected in the reigning World Cup champions’ squad despite tearing his hamstring in a draw at Chelsea two weeks ago.

Goalkeepers Hugo Lloris and Alphonse Areola join Saliba, Konate and Varane as the only Premier League-based players in the France team.

Arsenal’s Saliba has enjoyed a breakthrough 2022 year with the Gunners this season and on loan at Marseille last term, while Giroud has been in and out of France’s squad this calendar year due to the heavy competition up front that includes Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Karim Benzema.

But the 36-year-old has been rewarded for a positive start to the season in which he has scored nine goals in 18 matches for AC Milan in Serie A and the Champions League and could become France’s all-time top scorer in with the former Arsenal striker just two goals behind Thierry Henry’s record of 51.

Meanwhile, Konate’s inclusion in Les Blues’ team is a surprise given he has only been capped twice by France and has featured in just four matches in all competitions for Liverpool this season.

The title holders will hope to defend the title despite the absence of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante.

Didier Deschamps will rely on Real Madrid’s talisman, Benzema, Kylian Mbappé, Giroud and others.

France World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Steve Mandanda (Rennes).

Defenders: Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Raphaël Varane (Manchester United), Presnel Kimpembe (PSG), William Saliba (Arsenal), Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich), Théo Hernandez (Milan), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich).

Midfielders: Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Mattéo Guendouzi (Marseille), Jordan Veretout (Marseille), Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)

Attackers: Ousmane Dembélé (Barcelona), Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Milan), Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid), Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig).