french director Didier Deschamps They have assembled a team with formidable offensive talent heading into the World Cup, giving goaltender Robin Risser a call-up to Thursday’s marquee tournament after a breakout season.
Rissel, who plays for Reims, has been one of the revelations of the French league season and won the Goalkeeper of the Year award earlier this week. He played a huge role in making Lens the second-best defense. Ligue 1 Deschamps selected him for the number three role behind Mike Maignan and Bryce Samba.
“I’m filled with pride. This is incredible,” Risser told broadcaster TF1. “I have no words. It’s really amazing. It was one of my dreams.”
France are seeking their third World Cup title and are among the favorites to win the tournament, which will be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States from June 11 to July 19.
France are drawn in Group I and will face Senegal, Iraq and Norway in the group stage.
Deschamps is blessed with an impressive attacking arsenal, including: Kylian MbappeBallon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembelenova Desiree Duet, michael oriseRayan Cherki and Magnes Acriosh.
They also called up Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was preferred over Randal Kolo Muani on the 26-man list. The Tottenham striker was a late addition to France’s last World Cup squad four years ago. Kolo Muani scored a goal in the semi-final against Morocco. He almost became a national hero. In the final, France lost to Argentina in a penalty shootout.
Among those absent are Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga and PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, who has not played since the end of January after losing his starting spot at the club to Matvey Safonov.
“The main criterion is sports performance,” Deschamps said. “I understand that Lucas Chevalier may be disappointed, but he hasn’t played for a few months now. He didn’t get playing time when he could have had playing time.”
Lens winger Florian Thorvan may also feel disappointed, as he was one of five players nominated for Ligue 1’s Player of the Year award.
This will be Deschamps’ last tournament. He announced earlier this year that he would retire after the World Cup, ending a successful reign that began in 2012 and lasted until France won the 2018 World Cup and reached the 2022 final.
“It feels special. We did a lot today at the end,” he said. “The most important thing is today and tomorrow. We are focused on the World Cup.”
Former France great Zinedine Zidane is expected to take his place, although he has not coached since the end of his second spell at Real Madrid, although he led the Spanish giants to three Champions Leagues and two La Liga titles.
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Goalkeepers: Mike Menyan, Bryce Samba, Robin Risser.
Defenders: Lucas Digne, Maro Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde, Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano.
Midfielders: N’Golo Kante, Manu Kone, Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Choameni, Warren Zaire-Emery.
Forwards: Magnes Akuriosh, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembélé, Desiree Douye, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olisse, Marcus Thuram.
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