France World Cup squad named as Deschamps gambles on crocked Man Utd star Raphael Varane and big-name forwards axed

FRANCE have named their 25-man squad for the Qatar World Cup – and there is room for crocked Man United star Raphael Varane.

Didier Deschamps’ side are looking to defend their 2018 crown in the Middle East this month.

And the France boss has named a strong group with plenty of quality firepower.

But he has also opted to include injured United defender Varane.

The centre-back has been missing for weeks with a hamstring problem.

And there were serious doubts over whether he would make it in time for the competition.

But Varane will be heading to Qatar to defend his World Cup crown after convincing Deschamps he is fit enough to feature.

Meanwhile, Eduardou Camavinga got a call-up despite reports in France suggesting he would be left out.

However, there was no room for AC Milan goalie Mike Maignan or Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy.

Other big names to miss out include Man Utd’s Anthony Martial, Sevilla’s Wissam Ben Yedder, Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby and Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne.

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Otherwise it is business as usual for France.

Deschamps has named three goalkeepers in his side, with captain and Tottenham star Hugo Lloris joined by West Ham’s Alphonse Areola and Stade Rennais’ Steve Mandanda.

As for right-backs, France have opted for Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard and Barcelona’s Jules Kounde.

And on the left, Milan’s Theo Hernandez and PSG’s Presnel Kimpembe are the preferred choice.

There’s plenty of options at centre-back took, with Arsenal’s William Saliba, Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate and Man Utd’s Varane in alongside Bayern Munich duo Lucas Hernandez and Dayot Upamecano.

Midfield was the main area of concern for Deschamps, with N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba both missing through injury.

And joining Veretout are Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot, Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana and Marseille teammate Matteo Guendouzi, plus Real Madrid’s Aurelian Tchouameni and Camavinga.

But it’s in attack where France will shine, with Deschamps giving himself plenty of options.

The wide players consist of PSG’s Kylian Mbappe, Bayern’s Kingsley Coman and Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele.

There are two link-up forwards in RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku and Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann.

Finally, there are two further No9s consisting of Real’s Karim Benzema and Milan’s Olivier Giroud.