France brings 25 players to World Cup 2022
The list announced by coach Didier Deschamps yesterday is one less than the maximum limit of FIFA. "Honestly, this is not the easiest squad to pick and that's the job of the national team coaches. Some players are recovering from injuries, others just got hurt last night and some could be. injured today," coach Deschamps said on TF1 radio when announcing the players for the 2022 World Cup.
France will have to completely refresh the midfield when the pillars of the 2018 World Cup championship are absent. Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante are injured, and Corentin Tolisso or Blaise Matuidi are not in top form. Instead, Deschamps gave opportunities to young players Eduardo Camavinga (19 years old), Aurelien Tchouameni (22), or Matteo Guendouzi, Youssouf Fofana (23).
In defense, Raphael Varane is still present even though he has not played since the end of October due to injury. The 29-year-old will have to compete with William Saliba, Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe, Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano for two starting positions, as Deschamps confirms he will use a four-back formation. On both sides, Jules Kounde and Theo Hernandez are almost certain to start the game.
In the wooden frame, Hugo Lloris is sure to start as the captain of the French team, with Alphonse Areola and Steve Mandanda as two substitutes.
In attack, 36-year-old striker Olivier Giroud will play an important role. He is in high form with nine goals in 18 games for Milan since the start of the season, including five in Serie A and six in the Champions League. Giroud has also contributed 49 goals for France - the second most in the more than 100-year history of "Les Bleus" and only two goals short of Thierry Henry's record.
"Giroud knows his role for France. It would be better for the team to have him in the squad," said Deschamps.
Besides Giroud, the French attack also has familiar names such as Karim Benzema, Kingsley Coman, Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe or Christopher Nkunku. In particular, Benzema is injured in the thigh and missed Real Madrid's last three matches in La Liga. However, Deschamps believes the 2022 Golden Ball will be in the best shape before the 2022 World Cup.
In addition to Pogba and Kante, the stars absent from this list include Mike Magnan (Milan), Anthony Martial (Man Utd), Ferland Mendy (Real), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Tanguy Ndombele ( Napoli) Boubacar Kamara or (Aston Villa).
France will gather at the Clairefontaine National Training Center from November 14, then fly to Qatar two days later to begin the campaign to defend the 2018 Gold Cup.
At the 2018 World Cup, the average age of the French team was 25 years and 10 months, with five players over 30 including Giroud, Mandanda, Matuidi, Giroud, Rami. Going to Qatar this time, Deschamps also called five players over 30, including Lloris, Mandanda, Giroud, Benzema, Griezmann, but the average age of France increased slightly to 26 years and 8 months. The youngest Camavinga, at just 19 years old, is almost half the age of Mandanda - the 37-year-old goalkeeper.
