World Cup 2022: Big Names Miss Out As Didier Deschamps Names France Squad

World Cup 2022: Big Names Miss Out As Didier Deschamps Names France Squad

Fred Kennedy
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:16 PM
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  • France head coach Didier Deschamps has left out several big names after he named his 25-man squad for the World Cup
  • Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante headline a list of top players not included in the squad, with the midfield duo currently sidelined with injuries
  • Other star players who did not make the cut include Man United forward Anthony Martial and Real Madrid's Ferland Mendy
  • The reigning world football champions are in Group D of the tournament alongside Denmark, Tunisia and Australia

France head coach Didier Deschamps has unveiled his 25-man squad heading to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.

While the team features several prominent names, a number of familiar faces also failed to make the cut.

Hugo Lloris, Kylian Mbappe, William Saliba, Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud and Christopher Nkunku are some of the top names in the squad.

France, World Cup, Qatar, Didier Deschamps, Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante, Ferland Mendy, Anthony Martial
Players of France look deject during the penalty shoot-out of the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Round of 16 match against Switzerland at the National Arena. Photo by Marko Djurica.
Source: Getty Images

Incredibly, Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane was also included in the team, despite initial fears he could miss the tournament through injury.

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France squad: big names missing

The duo of Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante are the standout players not named in the France squad for the World Cup.

Despite playing a vital role in France's World Cup triumph four years ago in Russia, the two will play no role in the team's campaign to defend the crown.

Pogba was left out due to a knee injury which has seen him miss the better part of the new season, while Kante is nursing a hamstring injury.

Below are the top names left out of the France squad:

  1. Paul Pogba (Juventus)
  2. N'Golo Kante (Chelsea)
  3. Anthony Martial (Man United)
  4. Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid)
  5. Lucas Digne (Aston Villa)
  6. Wesley Fofana (Chelsea)
  7. Tanguy Ndombele (Napoli)
  8. Boubacar Kamara (Aston Villa)

Meanwhile, France are in Group D of the World Cup alongside Denmark, Tunisia, and Australia.

Switzerland announces World Cup squad

Sports Brief earlier reported that Switzerland have announced their squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, with Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar and Arsenal star Granit Xhaka making the list.

Xhaka, who has been impressive this season for Arsenal, is expected to captain the Swiss national team in their campaign in Qatar.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup will kick off on November 20, with France gearing up to defend the title they won in Russia four years ago.

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Fred Kennedy
Editor - Europe Team