Defending FIFA World Cup Champions France has announced the squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which is slated to start on Sunday, November 20. Two of France’s key figures from the previous World Cup win, Chelsea midfielder N’golo Kante and Juventus’s Paul Pogba will not travel to Qatar due to injuries. 

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has received a call of to play for his country in the FIFA World Cup for the first time. 

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Here’s the full France squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Goalkeepers: Areola, Lloris, Mandanda;

Defenders: L. Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Kimpembe, Koundé. Konaté, Pavard, Saliba, Upamecano, Varane;

Midfielders: Camavinga, Fofana, Guendouzi, Rabiot, Tchouaméni, Veretout;

Forwards: Benzema, Coman, Dembélé, Giroud, Griezmann, Mbappé, Nkunku.

Real Madrid midfielder, 19-year-old Eduardo Camavinga also found a place in the squad. It will be his first time representing France in a FIFA World Cup, following his remarkable rise from Nice over the last two years. 

Karim Benzema, who is out with injury at the moment, featured in France’s 25-men squad in spite of the injuries. Coach Didier Deschamps said that he is confident of Benzema recovering and returning before France’s first match against Australia.

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 “He will be with us despite the injury he suffered — his injury is because he played a lot in a short period which affected him,” Deschamps to the media. “I believe that he will do everything he can to be ready for the France-Australia match”.

The team will be managed by Didier Deschamps. Their first match is against Australia, on Wednesday, November 23.

France are placed in Group D of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, along with Denmark, Tunisia, and Australia. They are the favourites to win the group and go to the next round.