2026 W/Cup: Camavinga is left out of the France team

Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga and Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier were left out of France’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, ESPN reports.

France is seeking a third World Cup title and is among the favorites for the event that will be held from June 11 to July 19 in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Camavinga was part of the France team that finished runners-up in the last World Cup and came on as a substitute in the final defeat against Argentina, but was excluded by coach Didier Deschamps in his squad announced on Thursday.

“He had a difficult season in which he played less. He also had injuries,” Deschamps said. “It is true that he is a player who arrived very early with us, he is still a young player.

“As I have options to form the squad, the structure also has to be equal between the defenders, the midfielders and the forwards. But I understand and imagine their enormous disappointment tonight.”

Chevalier was another notable absence after losing his starting job to Matvei Safonov at PSG and has not played since late January.

“The main criterion is sporting performance,” Deschamps said. “I understand that Lucas Chevalier may be disappointed, but he hasn’t played for several months. When he could have had some playing time, he didn’t.”

Deschamps rewarded goalkeeper Robin Risser with a call-up to the most important tournament after his great season.

Risser, who plays for Lens, has been one of the revelations of the French league season and won the best goalkeeper award earlier this week. He played an important role in turning Lens into the second best defense in Ligue 1 and was selected by Deschamps at number 3 behind Mike Maignan and Brice Samba.