Kolo Muani Omitted from France 2026 World Cup Squad – North London 2026

Key Points

• France manager Didier Deschamps announced his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, excluding PSG loanee Randal Kolo Muani
• Kolo Muani has scored just one goal with one assist in 22 Premier League appearances for Tottenham this season
• Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta was preferred over Kolo Muani for the forwards’ spot, having scored 10 Premier League goals this season
• Eduardo Camavinga also missed out on France’s World Cup squad after a difficult season with limited playing time at Real Madrid
• Deschamps confirmed this will be his final tournament as France manager after a tenure spanning 2012-2026, including the 2018 World Cup victory
• Zinedine Zidane has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to succeed Deschamps as France head coach
• Kolo Muani scored in France’s 2022 World Cup semi-final against Morocco and assisted in the final before losing to Argentina on penalties
• Roberto De Zerbi was appointed Tottenham manager in March 2026, taking over during a relegation battle

Tottenham Hotspur (North London News) May 15, 2026 — Didier Deschamps has announced his 26-man France squad for the 2026 World Cup, and Randal Kolo Muani’s poor form at Tottenham Hotspur has cost him his place in the team. The Paris Saint-Germain loanee has not proved himself to his international manager during his time in North London, according to multiple reports covering the squad announcement.

As reported by Jack Kenmare of Sport Bible,

“Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has made three appearances for his country, has received a call-up, while PSG forward Randal Kolo Muani will miss out after a poor campaign on loan at Spurs”.

The 57-year-old Deschamps made his squad announcement at the FFF headquarters in Paris on Thursday evening, sparking debate among fans about several selections.

Why Did Deschamps Choose Mateta Over Kolo Muani?

The decision to exclude Kolo Muani comes after a disastrous loan spell at Tottenham. As reported by Hotspur HQ,

“Kolo Muani has been an unmitigated disaster, making Timo Werner look like a top player at Spurs in comparison. He has been one of the worst loan signings and one of the worst strikers in the recent history of the Spurs, scoring just one goal with one assist in 20 Premier League starts and 28 total appearances this season”.

According to ESPN, Deschamps explained his selection criteria clearly:

“The main criteria is sporting performance”.

Mateta has scored 10 Premier League goals in 26 appearances for Crystal Palace this season, making him the Eagles’ top league scorer. In contrast, Kolo Muani has managed just one goal in 22 Premier League matches for Tottenham.

How Did Kolo Muani’s 2022 World Cup Performance Compare to His Current Form?

Kolo Muani’s omission marks a stark contrast to his heroic performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. As reported by FIFA,

“After scoring the goal that sealed France’s 2-0 semi-final win against Morocco, Randal Kolo Muani admitted he is savouring a dream come true”.

According to USA Today,

“Within 44 seconds, Kolo Muani had scored the goal that clinched the game and put France into the final. The striker came on in the 79th minute of Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal with France holding on to a 1-0 lead over Morocco”.

The 26-year-old forward was making just his fourth France appearance and second of the 2022 World Cup when he scored what was

“the third-quickest goal for a substitute in men’s World Cup history”.

France went on to win the match 2-0 and faced Argentina in the final, where they lost on penalties.

What Do Kolo Muani’s Tottenham Statistics Reveal?

The damning figures emerging from Tottenham confirm why Deschamps made the right call. According to FootballCritic, Kolo Muani’s overall 2025/2026 season statistics show 16 appearances (8 starts) with an average rating of 4.2. In the Premier League specifically, he has made 8 appearances (2 starts) with no goals recorded in those matches.

As reported by Hotspur HQ,

“With Dominic Solanke injured in the thick of this Premier League relegation fight, Kolo Muani has remained horrendous, playing another anonymous game as a starter in the Spurs attack during their 1-1 draw with Leeds United”.

Who Else Was Left Out of France’s World Cup Squad?

Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga also failed to make Deschamps’ final squad. As reported by ESPN, Deschamps explained:

“He had a difficult season for him where he played less. He also had injuries. It’s true that he’s a player who came very early with us. He is still a young player. Because I have choices to make the squad structure also has to be even among the defenders, the midfielders and the forwards. But I understand and I imagine his enormous disappointment this evening”.

Camavinga was part of the France squad that finished runner-up at the 2022 World Cup and came on as a substitute in the final loss to Argentina. According to Sport Bible,

“Camavinga has struggled to nail down a regular spot in Los Blancos’ starting line-up this season and, according to reports in Spain, the club are open to offers if a suitable bid arrives for the 23-year-old”.

Which Goalkeepers Made Deschamps’ Selection?

Deschamps has selected three goalkeepers for the tournament: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Rennes), and Robin Risser (Lens). PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier was another notable absentee after losing his starting spot to Matvei Safonov at PSG and has not played since the end of January.

Deschamps explained Chevalier’s exclusion:

“The main criteria is sporting performance. I understand that Lucas Chevalier may be disappointed, but he hasn’t played for several months anymore. At the time when he could have had some playing time, he didn’t get any”.

Risser was rewarded with a call-up following his breakthrough season at Lens. According to Sport Bible,

“Risser, who plays for Lens, has been one of the revelations of the French league season and won the award for the best goalkeeper earlier this week. He played a big role in making Lens the second-best defense in Ligue 1”.

What Is the Full France 2026 World Cup Squad?

As reported by ESPN, France’s complete 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup is as follows:

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

Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernández (PSG), Theo Hernández (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 Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG)

Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Désiré Doué (PSG), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)

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Who Will Lead France’s Attack?

According to BBC Sport,

“Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele will lead a star-studded France attack after Didier Deschamps announced his 26-player roster for this summer’s World Cup”.

ESPN reported that Deschamps is

“gifted with an impressive attacking reservoir including Kylian Mbappé, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, rising star Désiré Doué, Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki and Maghnes Akliouche”.

Deschamps stated:

“I have ambition, and I want the players to have it too. But I don’t want us to lose our humility. I’m not going to hide and say we’re not among the teams with the potential to become world champions. But there are eight, maybe 10 teams that can say that. It’s not by shouting: ‘We’re the best, we’re the strongest'”.

When and Where Will France Play at the 2026 World Cup?

France is one of the favourites to lift the World Cup this summer, according to Sport Bible. The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19 in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

As reported by Sport Bible,

“France will kick off their group stage campaign against Senegal at MetLife Stadium on June 16. They will then take on Iraq at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 22 before coming up against Norway in Boston on June 26”.

ESPN confirmed that

“France has been drawn in Group I and will take on Senegal, Iraq and Norway during the group stage”.

What Happens Next for Deschamps and France Football?

This will be Deschamps’ final tournament as France manager. As reported by ESPN,

“It will be Deschamps’ final tournament. He announced this year that he will stop after the World Cup, ending a successful reign which began in 2012 and saw France win the 2018 World Cup and reach the 2022 final”.

According to Fox Sports,

“Zinedine Zidane has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to become the next head coach of Les Bleus. The legendary former Real Madrid boss is set to succeed Didier Deschamps following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup in North America”. The French Football Federation (FFF) president Philippe Diallo confirmed that “the identity of the next national team manager is already decided”.

As reported by Marca,

“Although the FFF has not officially announced the appointment, widespread reports indicate former France star and Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is set to take over. Zidane, who has been out of coaching since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, has long been viewed as the leading candidate for the role”.

What Is Deschamps’ Legacy at France?

Deschamps has enjoyed an incredibly successful tenure, leading France to World Cup glory in 2018 and a second consecutive final in 2022. The 57-year-old will be hoping to lead the country to a third successive World Cup final when July rolls around.

N’Golo Kante, who currently plays for Turkish side Fenerbahce, will take part in his third World Cup alongside fellow midfielders Manu Koné, Warren Zaïre-Emery, and Aurélien Tchouaméni. According to Sport Bible, Deschamps

“will leave his position as coach of the French national team after this summer’s tournament”.

Background

Randal Kolo Muani joined Tottenham Hotspur on transfer deadline day as a loan signing from Paris Saint-Germain, with Tottenham’s club brass, including Fabio Paratici, believing he would bring experience and goals to a front line that had struggled to score last season. The forward was expected to be a sound addition to help Tottenham avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Roberto De Zerbi was appointed Tottenham manager in March 2026, replacing Igor Tudor as the club’s third manager of the season. De Zerbi joined Tottenham, mired in a Premier League relegation battle, just one point ahead of the bottom three in the table. According to BBC Sport, De Zerbi

“has one clear focus: ensuring the team remains in the Premier League”.

Kolo Muani’s loan deal from Paris to North London is set to expire at the end of the 2025/26 season, with Juventus still showing interest in signing the striker permanently. However, his “shockingly dreadful campaign with Tottenham Hotspur” has significantly damaged his stock and international prospects.

The selection controversy stems from Deschamps’ consistent emphasis on current form over past achievements. The 2022 World Cup hero who scored within 44 seconds of entering the semi-final against Morocco has been deemed not good enough for France’s 2026 squad based on his Tottenham performances.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Tottenham Fans and French Football Supporters

Tottenham supporters will face continued concerns about Kolo Muani’s future at the club. As reported by Hotspur HQ, “Spurs supporters will not be celebrating Kolo Muani missing the World Cup since this notoriously moody striker will probably use this as another reason to mentally check out of a team he clearly hasn’t cared about this season”.

The omission serves as confirmation that Kolo Muani’s loan has been unsuccessful. According to Hotspur HQ, “it is a reminder to underperforming players that there is a sense of justice and even the worst national team coaches aren’t going to let you coast by if you play like utter garbage”. With only one goal and one assist in 22 Premier League appearances, Tottenham will need to reconsider their attacking options for next season.