FC Bayern duo included in France's World Cup squad

Including Pavard and Konate, there are also several players with Bundesliga experience in the squad. Lucas Hernandez (Bayern) and Maxence Lacroix (Wolfsburg) are part of the defensive department as Olise’s former teammate at Crystal Palace gets a surprise call after solid performances during his first call-up to the team.

His club teammate Jean-Philippe Mateta, who had a memorable spell at Mainz 05, is also preferred ahead of Randal Kolo Muani. The former Eintracht Frankfurt striker will not get a chance at redemption for his infamous miss in that defeat to Argentina.

France’s attack will also have the current Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé and the domestic double winner with Inter Markus Thuram, who have played in Bundesliga for the two Borussias.

A teammate of Thuram at Borussia Mönchengladbach, Manu Koné, will be a squad option for the central midfield. France will start their campaign against Senegal in the repeat of the 2002 World Cup curtain-raiser before facing Iraq and Erling Haaland’s Norway in the group stage.

France's 26-man World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (Lens), Brice Samba (Rennes)

Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Theo Hernandez (Al-Hilal), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)

Midfielders: N'Golo Kanté (Fenerbahçe), Manu Koné (AS Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurélien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG), Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Désiré Doué (PSG), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)

Forwards: Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)