Milan, 14 May (LaPresse) – France manager Didier Deschamps has put together a formidable squad for the World Cup and has rewarded goalkeeper Robin Risser with a call-up following his exceptional season. Risser, who plays for Lens, was named the French league’s best goalkeeper this week and joins the squad as third-choice goalkeeper, behind Mike Maignan and Brice Samba. France, aiming for a third World Cup title, are among the favourites for the tournament to be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Deschamps’ squad includes stars such as Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. This will be Deschamps’ final World Cup, as he is expected to be replaced by Zinedine Zidane. There are some notable omissions, such as Juventus midfielder Khefren Thuram and Tottenham striker Kolo Muani. However, the ‘Italians’ – Maignan and Adrien Rabiot of Milan, Marcus Thuram of Inter and Manu Koné of Roma – are all included. Here is the preliminary World Cup squad list. Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Brice Samba, Robin Risser. Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Théo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano. Midfielders: N’Golo Kanté, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Warren Zaire-Emery. Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram.
World Cup: “Italian” players Maignan, Rabiot, Koné and M. Thuram named in France’s squad
Milan, 14 May (LaPresse) – France manager Didier Deschamps has put together a formidable squad for the World Cup and has rewarded goalkeeper Robin Risser with a call-up following his exceptional season. Risser, who plays for Lens, was named the French league’s best goalkeeper this week and joins the squad as third-choice goalkeeper, behind Mike Maignan and Brice Samba. France, aiming for a third World Cup title, are among the favourites for the tournament to be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Deschamps’ squad includes stars such as Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. This will be Deschamps’ final World Cup, as he is expected to be replaced by Zinedine Zidane. There are some notable omissions, such as Juventus midfielder Khefren Thuram and Tottenham striker Kolo Muani. However, the ‘Italians’ – Maignan and Adrien Rabiot of Milan, Marcus Thuram of Inter and Manu Koné of Roma – are all included. Here is the preliminary World Cup squad list. Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Brice Samba, Robin Risser. Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Théo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano. Midfielders: N’Golo Kanté, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Warren Zaire-Emery. Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram.
