The Les Blues World Cup Squad  Pre-England December 2022
←Last France Squad that faced England (968)
Player	Birthdate	Age	Pos	Club	App	G
23.Areola, Alphonse Francis	27 February 1993	29	GK	West Ham United FC, England	5	0
19.Benzema, Karim Mostafa	19 December 1987	34	F	Real Madrid CF, Spain	97	37
	Benzema withdrew from the squad on 20 November because of a thigh injury
25.Camavinga, Eduardo Celmi	10 November 2002 in Cabinda, Angola	20	M	Real Madrid CF, Spain	5	1
20.Coman, Kingsley Junior	13 June 1996	26	F	FC Bayern München, Germany	43	5
11.Dembélé, Masour Ousmane	15 May 1997	25	F	FC Barcelona, Spain	32	4
3.Disasi Mhakins Belho, Axel Wilson Arthur	11 March 1998	24	D	AC Monaco FC	2	0
	Disasi was drafted into the squad on 14 November as a replacement for Kimpembe
13.Fofana, Youssouf	10 January 1999	23	M	AC Monaco FC	6	0
9.Giroud, Olivier Jonathan	30 September 1986	36	F	AC Milan, Italy	117	52
7.Griezmann, Antoine	21 March 1991	31	F	Club Atlético de Madrid, Spain	114	42
6.Guendouzi Olié, Matteo Elias Kenzo	14 April 1999	23	M	Olympique de Marseille	7	1
21.Hernandez, Lucas François Bernard	14 February 1996	26	LB	FC Bayern München, Germany	33	0
	Hernandez withdrew from the squad on 23 November because of a knee injury
22.Hernandez, Théo Bernard François	6 October 1997	25	LB	AC Milan, Italy	10	1
3.Kimpembe, Presnel	13 August 1995	27	CB	Paris Saint-Germain	28	0
	Kimpembe withdrew from the squad on 14 November after failing to recover from injury
12.Kolo Muani, Randal	5 December 1998	23	F	Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany	3	0
	Kolo Muani was drafted into the squad on 16 November as a replacement for Nkunku
24.Konaté, Ibrahima	25 May 1999	23	CB	Liverpool FC, England	4	0
5.Koundé, Jules Olivier	12 November 1998	24	CB	FC Barcelona, Spain	15	0
1.Lloris, Hugo Hadrien Dominique	26 December 1986	35	GK	Tottenham Hotspur FC, England	142	0
16.Mandanda Mpidi, Steve	28 March 1985 in Kinshasha, Zaire	37	GK	Stade Rennais FC	35	0
10.Mbappé Lottin, Kylian Sanmi	20 December 1998	23	F	Paris Saint-Germain FC	63	33
12.Nkunku, Christopher Alan	14 November 1997	25	RB	RB Leipzig, Germany	8	0
	Nkunku withdrew from the squad on 15 November because of a leg injury
2.Pavard, Benjamin Jacques Marcel	28 March 1996	26	RB	FC Bayern München, Germany	47	2
14.Rabiot, Adrien Thibault Marie	3 April 1995	27	CM	Juventus FC, Italy	33	3
17.Saliba, William Alain André	24 March 2001	21	CB	Arsenal FC, England	8	0
8.Tchouaméni, Aurélien Djani	27 January 2000	22	DM	Real Madrid CF, Spain	18	1
26.Thuram-Ulien, Marcus Lilian	6 August 1997 in Parma, Italy	25	F	Borussia VfL 1900 Mönchengladbach, Germany	7	0
18.Upamecano, Dayotchanculle Oswald	27 October 1998	24	CB	FC Bayern München, Germany	10	1
4.Varane, Raphaël Xavier	25 April 1993	29	CB	Manchester United FC, England	90	5
15.Veretout, Jordan Marcel Gilbert	1 March 1993	29	M	Olympique de Marseille	6	0

Squad details correct up to and including France's match against Poland on 4 December 2022.
Hernandez's are brothers

Diary

Monday, 5 September 2022 - Paul Pogba is a doubt for the World Cup in Qatar lafter having knee surgery. Pogba, 29, suffered the injury in July and has not played yet this season. France's first World Cup match is against Australia on 22 November. "This morning Pogba trained for the second time, but then stopped, and it was then decided that he undergo surgery," said Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri. "We will realistically get him back in January." Juventus later said the surgery - selective external arthroscopic meniscectomy - was "a complete success".

Tuesday, 18 October 2022 - N'Golo Kante has been ruled out of the World Cup after having an operation on a hamstring injury. Kante, 31, suffered the injury during Chelsea's 2-2 home draw with Tottenham on 14 August. In a statement, the club said that the procedure was a success but Kante is expected to be sidelined for four months. It added that the decision to operate to repair the damage was "mutual. The midfielder visited a specialist with the club's medical department to explore the options for his rehabilitation approach," the statement said.

Wednesday, 9 November 2022 - France have named William Saliba, Ibrahima Konate and Olivier Giroud in their World Cup squad with Didier Deschamps only electing to name 25 players for the tournament. Manchester United defender Raphaël Varane is also selected in the reigning World Cup champions' squad despite tearing his hamstring in a draw at Chelsea two weeks ago. Goalkeepers Hugo Lloris and Alphonse Areola join William Saliba, Ibrahima Konaté and Varane as the only Premier League-based players in the France team. Arsenal's Saliba has enjoyed a breakthrough 2022 year with the Gunners this season and on loan at Marseille last term, while Giroud has been in and out of France's squad this calendar year due to the heavy competition up front that includes Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann and Karim Benzema. Konaté's inclusion in Les Blues' team is a surprise given he has only been capped twice by France and has featured in just four matches in all competitions for Liverpool this season. Marseille duo Matteo Guendouzi and Jordan Veretout have been preferred to Kamara with Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Adrien Rabiot and Youssouf Fofana the other midfielders in the squad. There is also no place for Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier in the team despite some recent good displays for Jesse Marsch's squad. Veteran goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, 37, joins Areola as back-up to captain Lloris.

Monday, 14 November 2022 - Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe has been withdrawn from the squad after struggling to recover from an injury. A statement from FFF read: “Presnel Kimpembe will not participate in the World Cup. The Paris-SG defender does not consider himself sufficiently recovered to be able to hold his place in the defense of the Blues in Qatar. This decision was taken this morning, in Clairefontaine, after an exchange between the player and the doctor of the French team, Dr. Franck Le Gall, then between the player and Didier Deschamps. The staff of the French team salutes the honesty of Presnel and wishes him to regain all of his physical means as soon as possible. Didier Deschamps has decided, to replace Presnel Kimpembe, to call on Axel Disasi. The AS Monaco defender is expected during the day at Clairefontaine.”

Tuesday, 15 November 2022 - Christopher Nkunku has been ruled out of the World Cup after sustaining a leg injury in training today. The 25-year-old is the Bundesliga's top scorer with 12 goals in 15 games for RB Leipzig. He appeared to be caught by a challenge from Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga. The France squad are set to fly to Qatar tomorrow and will face Australia in their first Group D match. Nkunku is the latest on a list of high-profile absentees for defending champions France, which includes midfielders Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante and defender Prisnel Kimpembe. Manchester United defender Raphaél Varane is also still recovering from an injury. A replacement for Nkunku has not yet been named.

Wednesday, 16 November 2022 - Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani has been called up in place of the injured Christopher Nkunku. Kolo Muani has scored eight goals in 23 appearances for Frankfurt this season. The 23-year-old made his first two appearances for France as a substitute against Austria and Denmark in the Nations League in September.

Sunday, 20 November 2022 - Karim Benzema has been ruled out of the World Cup because of a thigh injury suffered in training. Benzema, 34, won the 2022 Ballon d'Or - awarded to the world's best player - after helping Real Madrid win the Champions League and La Liga. "I am extremely sad for Karim, who made this World Cup a major goal," said Didier Deschamps. "In my life I never give up but tonight I have to think about the team like I always do," Benzema said. "So the reason tells me to leave my place to someone who can help our team to make a great World Cup." The French Football Federation said: "The whole team shares Karim's sadness and wishes him a speedy recovery." It said an MRI scan confirmed the injury, which requires "a three-week recovery period". Deschamps added today that he would not be naming a replacement for Benzema.

Tuesday, 22 November 2022 - France 4 Australia 1 - World Cup holders France delivered a powerful statement of intent by outclassing Australia as Olivier Giroud equalled Thierry Henry's all-time scoring record for the national team. France have lost a host of players in the build-up to the tournament, including key striker Karim Benzema, but made light of those setbacks with a thrilling attacking display after going behind. Craig Goodwin gave the Socceroos a shock early lead when he powered home a far-post finish after nine minutes but they then fell victim to France's firepower led by veteran Giroud and Kylian Mbappé. Adrien Rabiot's header put France level after 27 minutes then he set up Giroud  for a simple finish five minutes later following a brilliant Mbappé backheel. Mbappé was a threat throughout and got his first goal of this World Cup when he headed in Ousmane Dembele's cross after 68 minutes before turning creator three minutes later. He delivered the perfect cross for Giroud to score with a header, equalling Henry's record of 51 France goals in the process.

Wednesday, 23 November 2022 - Lucas Hernandez has been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup because of the knee injury he picked up in the win against Australia. The 26-year-old Bayern Munich left-back ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee in last night's victory. "I am extremely sorry for Lucas," said manager Didier Deschamps. "We are losing an important element. Lucas is a warrior and I have no doubt he will do everything possible to return to the game. On behalf of the group, I wish him the best possible recovery." The extent of Hernandez's injury was confirmed by an MRI scan this morning. He went down clutching his knee in the 13th minute in the build-up to Australia's opening goal.

Saturday, 26 November 2022 - France 2 Denmark 0 - Kylian Mbappé scored twice for France as they laid down a World Cup marker by beating Denmark to become the first team into the knockout stage.The forward stole the show once again with second-half strikes to take his side through. Mbappé had earlier blazed over from 12 yards and forced Kasper Schmeichel into a save with a rising shot. But the Paris St-Germain star broke the deadlock just past the hour mark, exchanging a fine one-two with Theo Hernandez before stroking in. Denmark equalised just seven minutes later with their first effort on target as defender Andreas Christensen headed home at the far post after France failed to clear a corner. Christensen, though, may have counted himself lucky to still be on the pitch at that point after receiving only a yellow card on 20 minutes for dragging back Mbappé, who was looking to run clear. France keeper Hugo Lloris made a sharp stop to keep out Tottenham team-mate Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's first-time shot, while Martin Braithwaite agonisingly fired into the side netting. With four minutes left, Mbappé snatched the winner, sneaking in at the far post to convert Antoine Griezmann's cross.

Wednesday, 30 November 2022 - Tunisia 1 France 0 - France had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside in the final minute of stoppage-time as Tunisia held on to register a shock victory. However, despite victory they failed to qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup. Substitute Antoine Griezmann volleyed in a dramatic equaliser at the Education City Stadium, but the VAR decision meant Tunisia captain Wahbi Khazi's brilliant second-half goal proved to be the winner. However, with Australia recording a 1-0 victory over Denmark in the other match in Group D, Tunisia's hopes of progressing had been dashed before Griezmann's goal was ruled out. "It's mixed feelings because we're happy to beat a team like France," said Tunisia manager Jalel Kadri. "We can be proud and leave with our head high, but it is a bitter victory. It would have been beautiful to beat France and reach the last 16. It is our fault for not doing what we needed to do before." France are through to the last 16 as group winners having already secured qualification with victory over Denmark in the last game. Despite their failure to progress, Tunisia captain Khazi produced the moment fans had been waiting for - a goal at this World Cup - when he drove to the edge of the box and coolly rolled it into the bottom right corner.

Sunday, 4 December 2022 - France 3 Poland 1 - Olivier Giroud became France's all-time leading men's goalscorer as they coasted past Poland to reach the quarter-finals. The AC Milan striker scored his 52nd goal for France to claim the country's outright record, surpassing Thierry Henry. The historic goal came on the stroke of half-time after Giroud controlled Kylian Mbappé's pass before converting low into the net beyond the reach of Wojciech Szczesny. But having provided the assist for the first goal, the brilliant Mbappé turned on the style by scoring two fabulous strikes in the second half. He hit a powerful drive into the roof of the net from 16 yards for his first and curled home a wonderful second in injury time to take the lead. Didier Deschamps' side had been left frustrated up until the opener and could well have fallen behind. Poland's best opening in the first half came when the ball dropped for Piotr Zielinski in the centre of the penalty area, but his strike was straight at Hugo Lloris. Robert Lewandowski did manage a consolation for the Poles, rolling in a penalty with the last kick of the game.