{"id":1489,"date":"2022-11-10T10:05:22","date_gmt":"2022-11-10T10:05:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/?p=1489"},"modified":"2022-11-19T13:45:50","modified_gmt":"2022-11-19T13:45:50","slug":"2022-11-10-france-wc-squad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/2022-11-10-france-wc-squad","title":{"rendered":"Benzema IN, Pogba OUT: France WC Squad Announced"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With 10 days until the FIFA World Cup, holders France have named a 25-man squad aiming to defend the most prestigious trophy in world football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Wednesday, the F\u00e9d\u00e9ration Francaise de Football<\/em> (FFF) announced its squad that will represent Les Bleus<\/em> at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several high-profile players have missed out on selection, predominantly due to injuries, but overall the reigning world champions have named a strong and experienced group to defend their crown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s take a closer look at the 25 players called up by France manager Didier Deschamps:<\/p>\n\n\n

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France are the reigning world champions.
(Photo by Xavier Laine\/Getty Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

– Goalkeepers<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deschamps has recalled the same three goalkeepers as he did four years ago in Russia. France skipper Hugo Lloris looks set to retain his place in goal, with Alphonse Areola and Steve Mandanda his understudies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lloris, 35, is the second-most capped France player of all-time and three more outings with the national team would see equal a record 142 caps for Les Bleus<\/em>, held by ex-defender and 1998 World Cup winner Lilian Thuram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Areola and Mandanda will be looking to yield some minutes from Lloris, though as it stands the Tottenham goalie is first-choice for France in between the sticks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Maignan was snubbed for selection as the AC Milan keeper has been out with a calf injury since late September.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Defenders<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of the eight defenders that helped France ascend to the top of the world in 2018, four have retained their places for the upcoming edition of the tournament. In total, Deschamps has selected one defender more than he had done pre-Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presnel Kimpembe and Benjamin Pavard return for another World Cup bow, while centre-back Raphael Varane has been included after picking up a thigh injury with Manchester United in recent weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lucas Hern\u00e1ndez also makes the list after missing France’s UEFA Nations League clashes in September, although the Bayern Munich man has featured in each of his club’s last two domestic matches. Lucas’ younger brother, Theo, earns a maiden World Cup call-up courtesy of a promising few years with Italian side AC Milan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jules Kound\u00e9 makes the cut despite battling injuries of late and he has featured in just half of Barcelona’s 20 matches in LaLiga and Champions League this season. Kound\u00e9 has been unavailable for each of Barca’s last three matches as the centre-half bids to overcome a thigh problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

William Saliba, 21, has earned a place in the squad following a splendid start to the season with Premier League leaders Arsenal. Ibrahima Konat\u00e9 of Liverpool and Bayern centre-back Dayot Upamecano are also in the mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana is out with a knee injury, while Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid) and Pierre Kalulu (AC Milan) are unfortunate to miss out on selection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

William Saliba could be set to not only start but become a key player for France at the World Cup. Few are better 1v1. PL CBs (500mins+) best % of dribblers tackled (FBRef):

?? 91.7 | William Saliba (Arsenal)
??????? 88.9 | Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)
?? 84.9 | Manuel Akanji (Man. City)<\/p>\u2014 Get French Football News (@GFFN) November 8, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>