France World Cup squad: Deschamps heads to Russia with star-studded line-up

Midfield is the one place where France lacks complete dominance in World Cup 2018

France is all prepared under head coach Didier Deschamps to repeat their '1998' world cup glory in the upcoming Fifa World Cup 2018.

Although they had a tough time in the World Cup qualifiers but the Euro Cup 2016 runners-up are one of the favourites for the tournament. Deschamps will have many uphill task as France goes out hunting for the second world cup gold.

With a plethora of quality players lined up, Deschamps told a French TV channel: "It is always difficult. This time around, I was faced with an enormous amount of quality players, I won't be able to make every player happy."

Ticket to Moscow

Deschamps’s offensive strategy glints in the 23-man roster he has readied to conquer Moscow. Atlético Madrid’s star striker, Antoine Griezmann will be leading France’s attack. Chelsea's in-form, Olivier Giroud, will be joining Griezmann with Paris-Saint Germain's young trickster, Kylian Mbappe. France’s gifted striking attack runs deep with a good substitute’ bench with top-notch players like Barcelona’s Ousmen Demeble, Marseille’s Florian Thauvin and Lyon's Nabil Fakir.

Midfield is the one place where France lacks complete dominance. Manchester United midfielder, Paul Pogba, remains highly underutilised. Chelsea's N’Golo Kante and Juventus' Blaise Matuidi will share the midfield action with Pogba. Monaco's talented midfielder Thomas Lemar has also been given Russia's ticket.

France's defence remains a force to reckon with. In-form Barcelona's centre-back Samuel Umtiti with Real Madrid's Raphael Varane will guard the offensive forces. Benjamin Mendy and Benjamin Pavane have been selected for left-back and right-back.

The only obvious choice for Deschamps was for the place of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who is close to getting 100 caps for the national team.

Big names who were missed out:

A big blow to the national side is the absence of defensive leader Laurent Koscielny who was injured in the Europa League campaign. Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has not been given a ticket for Russia.

Arsenal frontman Alexandre Lacazette and Manchester United's Anthony Martial have been left on the standby mode. PSG's Adrien Rabiot is also out of the squad.

Here is the 23 member full squad of the France National team:

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda, Alphonse Areola.

Defenders: Layvin Kurzawa, Benjamin Mendy, Samuel Umtiti, Raphaël Varane, Lucas Hernandez, Benjamin Pavard, Adil Rami, Djibril Sidibé

Midfielders: Paul Pogba, Blaise Matuidi, Corentin Tolisso, N'Golo Kante, Steven Nzonzi.

Forwards: Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, Florian Thauvin, Thomas Lemar, Nabil Fekir.

France will first battle it out with Australia on 16 June, followed by matches with Peru and Denmark.

One country. One people. One team. One for all, and all for one. ✊