Announcement moved to avoid Ligue 1 clash
France coach Didier Deschamps will announce his 2026 World Cup squad today, Thursday, May 14. The reveal shifts from Wednesday due to a key Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Lens. This avoids overlap with a major domestic fixture, keeping focus on the national team news.
Deschamps’s final tournament ahead
This World Cup marks Deschamps’s last as France manager. The 2018 champion plans to step down after the event across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, passing to Zinedine Zidane. His record includes the Russia triumph, a Qatar final loss to Argentina, a Nations League win, and Euro runner-up spot. Another title would cap his era perfectly.
Squad size and key absences
FIFA permits 23 to 26 players per team, including at least three goalkeepers, plus up to 27 staff. Deschamps faces issues: Hugo Ekitike misses out with an Achilles injury from Liverpool’s Champions League game versus PSG. Ferland Mendy is also sidelined. Midfield spots spark most debate, with several contenders vying for places.
Rules for squad tweaks
Teams can swap players for medical reasons up to 24 hours before their first match, with FIFA approval and documentation. France faces Senegal in Group I at MetLife Stadium on June 16, so changes must clear by June 15. Goalkeepers have flexibility: an injured one can be replaced from the preliminary list anytime during the tournament, subject to FIFA okay.
Boston chosen as team base
France opts for Boston as training hub. Players will stay at the Four Seasons hotel downtown, a city-centre pick unlike many teams’ rural spots. The luxury site has an indoor pool and recovery amenities. Sessions occur at Babson College in Wellesley. The East Coast location suits their Atlantic group games well.
