One of the best teams in the world has finally submitted its squad for the World Cup with some surprises included in it.
Coach Didier Deschamps put up a top-caliber squad, but he had to leave some players out due to FIFA's 23-man limitations.
In what seems to be a proper move, the 1998 World Cup winner with Les Bleus decided to publish the final list, rather than calling up 12 more players and give them some hope that would eventually fade away.
Coach's objective
After losing the 2016 UEFA Euro at home, Didier Deschamps will try to become the first player/coach since Franz Beckenbauer to win the World Cup title in both roles. Deschamps' goals are pretty clear, especially if he wants to keep his job.
New faces
Presnel Kimpembé, with only one call up, is the least-experienced player included in Les Bleus' squad. 25-year-old Florian Thauvin also made the cut, mainly due to his impressive season at Olympique Marseille.
Veterans
Curiously, the oldest player included in France's roster is not expected to play any games, being 33-year-old goalie Steve Mandanda the owner of such "privilege". Adil Rami (32) and Olivier Giroud(31) complete the podium of France's oldest footballers playing in Russia this summer.
Major absences
Coach Deschamps had a headache when putting this list together, as he left at least one top-caliber player out in every position. Those absences include Mathieu Debuchy and Layvin Kurzawa (defenders), Kingsley Coman and Adrien Rabiot (midfielders), and most notably, Dimitri Payet, Anthony Martial and Alexandre Lacazette.
Full squad list
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola, Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda
Defenders: Lucas Hernández, Presnel Kimpembé, Benjamin Mendy, Benjamin Pavard, Adil Rami, Djibril Sidibé, Samuel Umtiti, Raphäel Varane.
Midfielders: N'Golo Kanté, Blaise Matuidi, Steven N'Zonzi, Paul Pogba, Corentin Tolisso.
Strikers: Ousmane Dembelé, Nabil Fekir, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Thomas Lemar, Kylian Mbappé, Florian Thauvin.
Notre équipe pour la Coupe du Monde #FiersdetreBleus #ListeDes23 pic.twitter.com/Wq2KGAYoQX
— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) May 17, 2018
