Deschamps Weighs Selection Dilemmas As France Faces Intense Competition For World Cup Spots

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France continue preparation for the World Cup with a friendly against Colombia in Landover, Maryland, on Sunday, only three days after a 2-1 victory over Brazil in Foxborough, where Kylian Mbappe and Hugo Ekitike scored and Dayot Upamecano received a red card for a last-man foul.

Didier Deschamps is expected to rotate heavily against Colombia, as several regulars did not start against Brazil, including Eduardo Camavinga, N'Golo Kante, Rayan Cherki and Desire Doue, while injuries keep Bradley Barcola, William Saliba and Jules Kounde out of the current France squad.

Deschamps explained that his World Cup planning remains fluid, with competition across the pitch and fitness issues complicating choices, and outlined that he is working from a broad longlist that must be reduced soon, despite several injured players such as Barcola, Saliba and Kounde usually featuring in France squads.

Asked about his selection strategy, Deschamps told reporters: "I don't have a fixed idea because I don't have all the data. Barcola, Saliba and Kounde are used to being here. From the moment I consider that I have three options for all positions, and I can't take everyone. When you have attacking potential, you have ambition. Because of what we have done, we should be among the teams that can get to the top, but there is an extra step we must take."

France arrive at the Colombia match with strong attacking form, having scored regularly over recent months, and Deschamps views that firepower as a reason for high expectations, while still warning that further improvement is required if Les Bleus want to challenge for the World Cup again.

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Deschamps highlighted Colombia's strengths by pointing out that they finished above Brazil in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, and stressed that France must approach this friendly with the same seriousness shown against Brazil, especially against attackers such as Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez.

Speaking about the next opponents, Deschamps said: "This team has a lot of quality, they are difficult opponents. In attack, they have lots of quality. We will respect them like we did Brazil, knowing that they finished ahead of Brazil in qualifying. Luis Diaz is a decisive player, as is James Rodriguez."

France World Cup preparation and Deschamps with Kante

N'Golo Kante joined Deschamps at the pre-match media conference, one day before turning 35, and described contentment at returning to the France setup after going 12 months without an international appearance between November 2024 and November 2025 while dealing with injuries and club commitments.

Kante reflected on that spell away from Les Bleus and the value of this recall, saying: "Being in the French team is always an honour. I had periods where I played a lot, the Fenerbahce midfielder said. With time and injuries, it happened a little less. But today, I'm enjoying being here. The most important thing is to enjoy the moment."

With Colombia next on the schedule and squad selection still open, France use these United States friendlies to test depth across every position, maintain their scoring streak and assess returning figures such as Kante, while Deschamps balances ambition with the need for careful choices before final World Cup decisions.