William Saliba, Jordan Veretout and Kingsley Coman called up for France World Cup squad | OneFootball

France manager Didier Deschamps has released the 25-man squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar which starts on November 20.

The reigning champions have been pitted against Australia, Denmark and Tunisia in Group D.

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris will captain the side, and Alphonse Areola will be his deputy between the sticks.

Rennes shot-stopper Steve Mandana has been included in the squad in place of injured Mike Maignan.

The 37-year-old will represent Les Bleus in his third World Cup.

Bayern Munich trio Benjamin Pavard, Lucas Hernandez and Dayot Upamecano are part of the stacked defence alongside Arsenal’s William Saliba, Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate and Barcelona’s Jules Kounde.

Presnel Kimpembe and Raphael Varane, who were initially doubtful for the World Cup due to injuries, have made it onto the list.

Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy and Marseille’s Jonathan Clauss have been overlooked by Deschamps.

Injuries to star midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante have opened the door for Marseille duo Matteo Guendouzi and Jordan Veretout, who have been called up for the World Cup.

Los Blancos midfield pairing Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni have also been included in the squad.

Adrien Rabiot and Youssouf Fofana complete the midfield, with the former being part of the 2018 World Cup-winning squad.

Karim Benzema will lead the attack, but there are concerns over his fitness.

The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner has struggled with injuries and missed a handful of games for Madrid this season.

Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele have been in stellar form for Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona this term, and they will be central figures in the attack.

AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud and RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku have made the cut.

Deschamps has also called up veteran forward Antoine Griezmann despite his lack of form with Atletico Madrid.

Kingsley Coman also has a place in the squad after missing the last month’s Nations League games due to injury.

France’s World Cup squad list

Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Rennes).

Defenders: Lucas Hernardez (Bayern Munich), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Raphael Varane (Manchester United).

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Matteo Guendouzi (Marseille), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Jordan Veretout (Marseille).

Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kinglsey Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig).