After national team coach Didier Deschamps revealed his 26-man roster on Thursday for this summer's competition in the US, Canada, and Mexico, Kylian Mbappé will lead France's quest for a third world championship.
Deschamps, who led France to victory in the 2018 World Cup and has announced he would retire after this tournament, chose a combination of recognised superstars and up-and-coming players.
Despite missing Real Madrid's last La Liga games due to a recent thigh injury, Mbappé is anticipated to lead the team.
Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise of Bayern Munich, and Désiré Doué of Paris Saint-Germain create a powerful attacking line with the 27-year-old. Rayan Cherki, a 22-year-old playmaker who has shown promise at Manchester City this season, is also making his big tournament debut.
Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga and striker Randal Kolo Muani are notable absences; Deschamps cited Camavinga's inconsistent play and injury-plagued season.
Mbappé, Dembélé, Lucas Hernandez, and N'Golo Kanté are the only four players left from the team that won the title in Russia eight years ago. France will play Senegal, Iraq, and Norway in the first round after being placed into Group I.
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), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: N’Golo Kanté (Fenerbahce), Manu Koné (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG)
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Désiré Doué (PSG), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)