Pakistan, May 16 -- Kylian Mbappe will spearhead France at the World Cup after coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday announced his 26-man squad for this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Deschamps, who guided France to World Cup glory in 2018 and will leave his role after the 2026 edition, included few surprises.

"It's a squad. Not necessarily the 26 best players. It's about balance and how the team comes together," Deschamps told French TV channel TF1.

"The overriding and essential criterion (for selection) is a sporting one," the 57-year-old later explained to journalists.

Mbappe will likely captain the team from the get-go despite a thigh injury sustained last month, which caused him to miss key matches in R...