Florian Thauvin has confirmed his place on Didier Deschamps' pre-convocation list for the 2022 World Cup, but the Lens winger remains grounded about his chances of making the final cut. Speaking ahead of a rescheduled Ligue 1 fixture against Paris Saint-Germain, Thauvin acknowledged his inclusion is not new and that the upcoming match is unlikely to sway the France coach's plans.
Thauvin addressed reporters on Tuesday, fresh from the UNFP awards ceremony where he was named to the Ligue 1 team of the season but lost out to Ousmane Dembélé for the Player of the Year honor. "I am part of the pre-convocation," he stated. "It's already good to be on the prelist, but it's nothing new—I've been in that situation for almost two years now."
The 30-year-old forward briefly encountered Deschamps on Monday but described the interaction as "very short." He cited the coach's own public statement that his mind is already made up regarding the squad. This suggests that even a standout performance against PSG on Wednesday night will not alter the selection calculus.
Thauvin's international resurgence began in October when he returned to Les Bleus after more than six years away. In that window, he scored his second goal for France in a 3‑0 World Cup qualifying victory over Azerbaijan. However, he was omitted from the squad for March's friendlies in the United States, highlighting the fierce competition for attacking places.
The pre-convocation itself is a preliminary list from which the final 26-man World Cup roster will be drawn. Thauvin's consistent presence indicates Deschamps tracks him, but it does not guarantee a ticket to Qatar. With talents like Kylian Mbappé, Kingsley Coman, and Dembélé ahead of him, Thauvin must hope his big-match experience and versatility tilt the scales.
Wednesday's clash against PSG is a makeup game for Lens, originally postponed earlier in the season. Now it arrives as a late audition, though Thauvin himself downplays its significance for national team purposes. Deschamps' decision-making process appears sealed, leaving little room for last-minute heroics to change the narrative.
From a club standpoint, the match carries enormous weight. Lens are chasing European qualification in a tight Ligue 1 race, and hosting the champions offers a statement opportunity. Thauvin's role as a creative force has been central to their rise, and a strong showing could boost the team's morale even if it won't rewrite Deschamps' notes.
The attacker's UNFP recognition underlines a solid campaign; his inclusion in the league's best XI reflects consistency that top managers value in tournament settings. Yet the gap between being a pre-selected name and boarding the plane is measured in details—tactical fit, form in training, and leadership.
As the World Cup list announcement looms, Thauvin remains pragmatic. "I don't have any more information than that on the initiative," he admitted. His focus stays on helping Lens finish the season strongly, trusting that his profile and past contributions will speak for themselves.
Whether his name appears on the final list or not, Thauvin's journey back to the national fold after years in the wilderness is itself a testament to his resilience. For now, the Bollaert-Delelis stadium will host both a critical league encounter and a personal moment in the spotlight—one that may close, but not write, his World Cup chapter. Based on reporting from L'Equipe.