Deschamps Admits Camavinga Has ‘Every Right to Be Upset’ After Real Madrid Midfielder Misses France’s 2026 World Cup Squad

Didier Deschamps has named his final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — his last as head coach of the French national team — and the most notable absence is Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, a player who had previously been a consistent fixture in Les Bleus selections.

Addressing the media on Thursday, Deschamps was candid about the difficulty of the call, openly acknowledging the player’s frustration. “I don’t doubt what he’s capable of. But today, he has every right to be upset with me. I understand,” the France manager stated.

Camavinga’s exclusion stems from a testing 2024-25 club campaign. The Angolan-born French international managed just 21 starts across all competitions for Real Madrid, a tally undermined by recurring fitness problems that disrupted his rhythm throughout the season. Deschamps confirmed that both factors were central to the selection decision, stating that “his season cost him his place” while also pointing to the significant injury setbacks the midfielder endured.

“I’m aware that it’s tough to take for some players, especially those who are regularly here, but that’s the professional side of things,” Deschamps said when pressed on the omissions. He further noted the intensity of competition within the French midfield, adding: “The competition for the position is very tough. Cama is among those disappointed.”

Despite the exclusion, Deschamps was careful to draw a distinction between current form and long-term assessment, indicating that his confidence in Camavinga’s ability remains intact. The omission, he stressed, is a reflection of this season’s circumstances rather than a verdict on the player’s overall quality or international future.

France have been drawn in Group I of the 2026 World Cup, where they will face Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, represents Deschamps’ final chapter with a squad he has managed since 2012 — a tenure that includes the 2018 World Cup triumph in Russia and the 2022 final appearance in Qatar, where France were beaten on penalties by Argentina.

Before the tournament begins, Les Bleus are scheduled to play warm-up fixtures against Ivory Coast and Northern Ireland as part of their preparation on the East Coast.

Camavinga, 22, has been one of European football’s more high-profile young midfielders since joining Real Madrid from Rennes in 2021. He was part of the Madrid side that won the UEFA Champions League in the 2021-22 and 2023-24 seasons, but inconsistency and injuries have limited his impact in the most recent campaign. His absence from the World Cup squad will be seen as a significant setback at a formative stage of his international career, though Deschamps’ remarks suggest the door has not been permanently closed.