World Cup
Uncapped goalkeeper gets first French call-up in World Cup squad
Uncapped goalkeeper Robin Risser and Crystal Palace duo Maxence Lacroix and Jean-Philippe Mateta were all named in France’s World Cup squad by coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday.
Risser was picked on the back of his performances for Racing Lens, who will finish second in Ligue 1 and compete in the French Cup final later this month. The 21-year-old was voted Ligue 1’s best goalkeeper earlier this week.
He gets a first call-up at the expense of Lucas Chevalier, who had been expected to feature but was overlooked after losing his starting berth in the Paris Saint-Germain team and being sidelined injured. Chevalier has not played since January.
Striker Mateta, who debuted last October, has won three caps and was selected ahead of Randal Kolo Muani to fill the place vacated by Hugo Ekitike, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon playing for Liverpool against PSG in the Champions League last month.
“He has a different profile to other strikers,” said Deschamps of his choice.
CAMAVINGA WILL BE DISAPPOINTED WITH OMISSION
There was also speculation about whether Deschamps would stick with Eduardo Camavinga, after a disappointing season with Real Madrid, but the coach chose defender Lacroix, who made an impressive debut against Brazil in March.
“I would imagine it is a huge disappointment for him, but he has had a tough season with injury as well,” the coach said of Camavinga.
There were no other surprises in the 26-man squad, which has 10 players who featured in the last World Cup final in Qatar four years ago, while Lucas Hernandez, N’Golo Kante and Kylian Mbappe remain from the side that won in Moscow in 2018.
Captain Mbappe leads a formidable attack that also features Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and rising star Michael Olise.
The squad was announced live on the main nightly news bulletin on France’s TF1 channel.
France compete in Group I at the World Cup against Iraq, Norway and Senegal.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (Racing Lens), Brice Samba (Stade Rennais)
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (Paris St Germain), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich).
Midfielders: N’Golo Kante (Fenerbahce), Manu Kone (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris St Germain)
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (Paris St Germain), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue (both Paris St Germain), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).
-Reuters
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Morocco will look to continue their impressive FIFA World Cup group-stage form when they take on Haiti in a historic first-ever World Cup meeting between the Caribbean nation and an African opponent.
The Atlas Lions arrive at the fixture unbeaten in their last six World Cup group matches, having recorded three victories and three draws during that period. That consistency has reinforced Morocco’s reputation as one of Africa’s strongest representatives on the global stage.
For Haiti, the match represents a unique challenge. Despite previous World Cup appearances, the Caribbean side have never faced an African nation at the finals. Their encounter with Morocco therefore, opens a new chapter in their World Cup history.
Morocco’s disciplined defensive organisation and growing confidence after recent successes have made them difficult opponents, while Haiti will be aiming to spring a surprise and keep their qualification hopes alive.
With knockout-round places at stake, both teams know that a positive result could prove decisive in determining their fate.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Scotland will attempt to overturn decades of World Cup frustration against Brazil when the two sides clash in a decisive Group Stage encounter at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
History heavily favours the South Americans, who are unbeaten in four previous World Cup meetings between the nations. Their first encounter ended in a goalless draw at the 1974 tournament, but Brazil have since emerged victorious in every subsequent clash.
The five-time world champions defeated Scotland 4-1 in Spain 1982 before edging the Europeans 1-0 in Italy 1990. Their most recent World Cup meeting came in France 1998 when Brazil secured a 2-1 victory.
Interestingly, all previous encounters between the teams have occurred during the group phase, making this fifth meeting another chapter in a rivalry dominated by the Brazilians.
Scotland, however, will hope that recent performances can inspire an upset as they seek a result capable of propelling them into the knockout rounds. Brazil, meanwhile, remain among the tournament favourites and will be keen to maintain their perfect World Cup record against the Scots.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Switzerland will seek to maintain their reputation as one of the World Cup’s most consistent performers when they face co-hosts Canada in a crucial group-stage showdown.
The Swiss have advanced beyond the group phase in five of their last six FIFA World Cup appearances and are once again targeting a place in the knockout rounds. Their experience in navigating the early stages of the competition could prove invaluable in a fixture carrying significant implications.
Canada, however, enter the contest buoyed by a landmark achievement. The co-hosts are fresh from securing their first-ever FIFA World Cup victory, a result that has boosted confidence and ignited hopes of a historic progression to the next round.
With home support expected to provide additional motivation, Canada will be eager to build on that breakthrough success. Switzerland, meanwhile, will rely on their tournament know-how as they seek another place among the last 16.
The clash promises to be one of the most intriguing fixtures of the round as two ambitious sides chase World Cup history.
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Morocco Seek to Extend Group Stage Unbeaten Run Against Debut African Opponents Haiti
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