France coach Didier Deschamps has dropped Eduardo Camavinga and Lucas Chevalier from his 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing fitness concerns and limited game time.
Camavinga, who featured in France’s run to the 2022 World Cup final, was left out after an injury-hit season at Real Madrid. Deschamps said the midfielder “had a difficult season” and admitted the decision would be a major disappointment for the 23-year-old.
Chevalier also missed out after losing his starting place at Paris Saint-Germain and failing to play since January.
Deschamps instead handed a first World Cup call-up to Robin Risser following the goalkeeper’s standout season with Lens.
France, chasing a third World Cup title, will face Senegal, Iraq and Norway in the group stage. The squad includes attacking stars Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué.
The tournament will be Deschamps’ final as France coach before an expected handover to Zinedine Zidane.
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
