Lucas Digne Named in France's 26-Man World Cup Squad

lucas digne is in Didier Deschamps' 26-man France squad for the summer's World Cup. The defender was named as France finalized a group built around balance, with three goalkeepers, nine defenders, five midfielders and nine forwards.

Deschamps Keeps Mbappe and Dembele

Deschamps paired Digne's inclusion with a familiar attacking core. Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele lead France's attack, while Ibrahima Konate also made the squad as the coach shaped the roster for the tournament ahead.

“It's a squad. Not necessarily the 26 best players. It's about balance and how the team comes together.” Deschamps said that after announcing the list to French TV channel TF1, and the structure of the group backs up that approach. France's 26 players break down into specific unit counts, giving the squad a defined shape before the tournament starts.

Lucas Digne and France's Defense

Digne enters the tournament as an Aston Villa player and one of the nine defenders selected. He is also one of the few survivors from France's 2018 World Cup-winning group, along with Lucas Hernandez and N'Golo Kante, outside Mbappe and Dembele.

That mix leaves France with continuity at the top end of the team and a defense that includes Digne and Konate. It also shows who Deschamps kept from the previous cycle, while other experienced names missed out on the final squad.

France in Group I

France begin their World Cup campaign against Senegal in New Jersey on 16 June. Group I then brings Iraq on 22 June and Norway on 26 June, so the roster announced now is the group that will carry France through the opening stage.

Deschamps said after the announcement, “I can imagine how disappointed [Camavinga] must be. He's coming off a tough season where he didn't play as much and suffered injuries. [But] I've got decisions to make and a squad to put together.” The list leaves France set for the summer's World Cup with the shape of the team now fixed and the first three group matches on the calendar.