With less than a month to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, France manager Didier Deschamps has revealed his 26-man roster, sparking debate with high-profile omissions. The defending champions? Not exactly, but they are candidates. The squad features a mix of experienced stars and emerging talents, but the absence of two Juventus players—defender Pierre Kalulu and midfielder Khéphren Thuram—has caught the eye, especially given the Serie A club's contributions to top national teams.
Deschamps named three goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (Milan), Robin Risser (Dijon), and Brice Samba (Lens). In defense, the choices are Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas and Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba, and Dayot Upamecano. The midfield consists of N'Golo Kanté, Manu Koné (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (Milan), Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Warren Zaïre-Emery. The attack is led by Kylian Mbappé, with support from Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Michael Olise, and Marcus Thuram (Inter). Notably, Antoine Griezmann, Eduardo Camavinga, Randal Kolo Muani, and Corentin Tolisso were also left out, signaling a generational shift.
For Pierre Kalulu, the snub comes despite a solid season at Juventus, where he has been a reliable figure in the backline. The 25-year-old former Milan defender has versatility across the defense but struggled to break into a France setup brimming with elite center-backs. The likes of Saliba, Konaté, Upamecano, and Koundé offer a blend of physicality and ball-playing ability that Deschamps clearly favors. Even with Deschamps picking four center-backs plus versatile full-backs, Kalulu couldn't dislodge any of them. His exclusion suggests that his performances, while consistent at club level, haven't convinced the French staff on the international stage, where he has yet to earn a senior cap.
Khéphren Thuram, younger brother of Marcus, faced similarly fierce competition in midfield. The 24-year-old Juventus midfielder has shown flashes of dynamism and technical skill in Serie A, but his campaign was marked by inconsistency and injuries. Deschamps has opted for proven warriors like Kanté and Tchouaméni, the creativity of Rabiot, and the emerging promise of Koné and Zaïre-Emery. Even the surprise inclusion of the versatile Akliouche in attack might have squeezed out a midfield spot. Thuram has just two senior caps, and his lack of international experience may have counted against him when margins were thin.
The most striking subplot is the absence of Antoine Griezmann, a pillar of the 2018 World Cup-winning side. At 35, Griezmann's club form with Atlético Madrid has dipped, and Deschamps appears ready to entrust creativity to younger playmakers like Cherki and Olise. Similarly, Camavinga's omission, despite his talent, points to the depth in midfield and perhaps a preference for physicality over technique in certain roles. Kolo Muani, after a turbulent period at PSG, also misses out. These decisions underline Deschamps' ruthless streak: even legends are not guaranteed a ticket if they are not in peak form.
The implications for France are significant. The squad blends youth and experience, with an average age skewed downward by the inclusion of several players under 23. The defense looks formidable, but the midfield may lack the creative passing of a peak Griezmann or the box-to-box energy of a fit Camavinga. In attack, Mbappé remains the focal point, but the supporting cast is unproven at the highest level, with players like Doué and Akliouche untested in major tournaments. France's success may hinge on whether the Hernandez brothers can stay fit and whether the new-look midfield can control games against elite opponents.
From Juventus' perspective, the exclusions are a double-edged sword. On one hand, Kalulu and Thuram will avoid the physical toll of a long tournament, which could benefit the club in the early stages of the 2026-27 season. On the other, missing a World Cup is a bitter pill for any player, and it could dent their confidence or standing. Juventus will need to manage their morale carefully. Moreover, the lack of representation on such a grand stage might slightly diminish the club's perception as a talent hub, especially after earlier criticism of its player development.
The broader narrative of this France squad is one of transition. The core of the 2018 triumph, including Hugo Lloris, Raphael Varane, and Paul Pogba, has already moved on. Deschamps is building for the present and future simultaneously, balancing the old guard like Kanté (35) and Dembélé (28) with the new generation. Whether this blend can deliver a second star on France's jersey remains to be seen, but the boldness of the selections indicates a coach not afraid to make unpopular choices.
As the tournament draws near, the pressure will mount on the chosen 26. Friendlies in the coming weeks will offer a glimpse of Deschamps' tactical plan, but the real test comes on June 11, when France kicks off its campaign. For the excluded, all they can do is regroup, support from afar, and hope to prove the coach wrong in the season ahead. For Khéphren Thuram and Pierre Kalulu, the World Cup dream will have to wait another four years.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.