France head coach Didier Deschamps has pointed to Eduardo Camavinga’s dip in form with Real Madrid as the primary reason for his exclusion from the “Les Bleus” squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Deschamps was the first manager to unveil his final roster for the tournament hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The list featured several shocking absences, most notably Camavinga and Antoine Griezmann, while veteran N’Golo Kanté received a surprise call-up despite his age.
Deschamps’ Justification
During the press conference, Deschamps addressed the Camavinga snub directly:
“He is coming off a difficult season where he had limited playing time and suffered multiple injuries,” Deschamps explained. “He is still young, and I had to make structural decisions for the squad. I understand his disappointment tonight, but this was a technical decision.”
He further elaborated on his selection philosophy:
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Squad Balance: “It’s not necessarily about picking the 26 best individual players; it’s about finding the right balance.”
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Human Element: “Managing a group requires certain human qualities. Some players won’t play, others very little, and the goal is to keep everyone engaged.”
The Real Madrid Context
From a practical standpoint, Deschamps’ decision aligns with the current situation in Spain. Reports suggest that Real Madrid is seriously considering putting the 24-year-old midfielder up for sale this summer due to his inconsistent performances.
France remains stacked with elite midfield options, including Aurélien Tchouaméni, Adrien Rabiot, Warren Zaïre-Emery, and Manu Koné.
