Didier Deschamps will today announce the squad that will have the daunting task to defend the World Cup title for France in Qatar. No country has won the coveted prize twice in a row since Brazil in 1962 and Les Bleus will have to overcome the champion’s curse if they are to bring France a third star. With an unprecedented schedule and injuries to key players including N’Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba, Deschamps has his work cut out for him. So who should be picked to make the trip for France?

We’ve chosen to go with a 25-man squad, including 3 goalkeepers, 9 defenders, 6 midfielders and 7 forwards.

Goalkeepers (3)

• Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspurs) – Still the undisputed captain and number #1 for Les Bleus albeit a decline in form since 2018. Mike Maignan has been knocking at the door but is recovering from an injury and Deschamps will need Lloris’ experience in the absence of leaders such as Pogba.
• Mike Maignan (AC Milan) – Had an amazing season with the Italian Champions and it’s only a matter of time before he succeeds Lloris in goal. His presence in Qatar remains highly uncertain as he is still recovering from a calf injury.
• Illan Meslier (Leeds United) – This is where we likely start to diverge from Deschamps’ plans, who likes to draw on the more experienced Alphonse Areola. Meslier has never been called for France but has been fantastic of late with the Premier League side. His recent performance against Liverpool showed he can compete at the highest level, despite his young age. One for the future.

Defenders (9)

• William Saliba (Arsenal) – Arsenal fans are full of praise for the young center back, and for good reason. The 21-year old has taken England by storm and has played a critical role in leading the Gunners to their best ever start at the top of the Premier League. You just get the feeling this could be the World Cup where he makes the CB position his own for Les Bleus, and he might not let it go for a very, very, long time.
• Raphäel Varane (Manchester United) – Early signs were worrying when he came off injured against Chelsea in October but it seems he will be able to recover in time. France will need his experience and leadership.
• Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich)
• Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich)
• Theo Hernandez (AC Milan) – A standout season for AC Milan last year winning the Scudetto. Versatile and can be used further forward in front of his brother or as a wing back in a 3-5-2.
• Benoît Badiashile (AS Monaco) – Speaking of 3-5-2…It looks likely that Deschamps will play three at the back with Saliba, Varane (if fit) and Badiashile. Personally not a great fan of the system, which proved shaky in France’s defeat against Denmark in September.
• Presnel Kimpembe (PSG) – Another one hit by injuries recently. Could be replaced by Bayern’s Dayot Upamecano.
• Jules Kounde (Barcelona)
• Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid)

Midfielders (6)

The injuries to Kanté and Pogba area a real blow for France and have left a big gap in midfield. The responsibility will now fall on the young Madrid starlet duo.

• Aurélien Tchouameni (Real Madrid)
• Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)
• Adrien Rabiot (Juventus)
• Mattéo Guendouzi (Olympique Marseille)
• Youssouf Fofana (AS Monaco)
• Jordan Veretout (Olympique Marseille)

Forwards (7)

• Kylian Mbappé (PSG) – Probably still has his missed penalty against Switzerland at the back of his mind. A generational talent who will have to put aside the prima donna attitude.
• Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) – Ballon D’or, what else.
• Olivier Giroud (AC Milan) – “Either Giroud starts, or he is not in the group at all”, that has pretty much summed up Deschamps’ position since the Euro. The drama with Mbappé had convinced Les Bleus’ coach that someone with Giroud’s history could not deal with his new lesser status following the return of Karim Benzema. Hopefully Deschamps will change his mind and pick the French veteran, who continues to perform superbly in Italy and offers a unique asset to the team, even if it has to be from the bench.
• Ousmane Dembélé (Barcelona) – Seems to always choose the right time to get back to his lightning-fast best.
• Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) – This is not the 2016 or 2018 Griezmann, but it’s not the forlorn Barcelona Griezmann either. Still Deschamps’ favourite.
• Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig) – His club stats are off the charts but is yet to step up at the international level.
• Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich) – Without his injuries he would be at the top of the list. He is still a top player and has also proven that he can do the job as a wing back with Les Bleus in recent call ups.

And there you have it. Can this squad make it all the way?

Featured Photo credit: Howard Bouchevereau