Top five players missing from France's 2022 FIFA World Cup squad

Les Bleus are the defending champions heading into the Qatar tournament

The excitement surrounding the 2022 FIFA World Cup is at an all-time high. With less than two weeks until the ball drops in Qatar. As is usual before the World France has emerged as one of the early favourites to defend its title at the 2022 FIFA World Cup this year.

France has perhaps the strongest international squad in the world, led by 1998 World Cup champion Didier Deschamps. There is no shortage of match-winners in the club. From five-time Champions League winner Karim Benzema to Paris Saint-Germain hero  Kylian Mbappe.

On or before November 13, every team competing in the 2022 FIFA World Cup must submit a final squad of 23-26 players. France's coach is unlikely to easily select his final roster.

First, he must sift through all of the qualified players across the country and select those who will fit into his system. Second, he must keep an eye on the first-team players, racing against the clock to achieve peak fitness and sharpness.

Today, we will look at some of the first-team players who are fit but did not make Didier Deschamps' squad for the football extravaganza in Qatar. Here are five highly great players who have been left off of France's final World Cup team for November:

5. Anthony Martial

Manchester United's star Anthony Martial, another highly-rated footballer, was unable to compete in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Martial, like Kante, has battled to stay in shape. Due to ongoing injury issues, Martial has only played 45 minutes of football this season. He is currently recovering from an Achilles injury, and his return date is undetermined.

With Cristiano Ronaldo gradually settling into Erik ten Hag's system. Martial will be restricted to a sporadic role by the time he regains fitness. With so many talented forwards like Mbappe and Benzema. Deschamps may think twice about including Martial in his future squads.

4. Ferland Mendy

France, the last tournament's victor, has now published their 26-man lineup, which includes several Real Madrid players such as Karim Benzema, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eduardo Camavinga. But one name that was expected to be named was left out: Ferland Mendy.

Didier Deschamps chose Lucas Hernandez and Theo Hernandez over Mendy at left back, and while the decision may have surprised some, it is perfectly justified from the manager's and France's tactical position.

Because the French national team is largely attack-oriented, wing-backs with more offensive freedom and the ability to rush forward and push upfront with the team are used. Of course, Ferland Mendy is well known for being a great defender but a poor offensive player. As a result, the exclusion.

While this is bad for Mendy, there is a silver lining that can have a significant impact on him.

3. Jonathan Clauss

However, the absence of one player, specifically Olympique de Marseille's Jonathan Clauss, prompted Deschamps to make a statement following the revelation of his decision to deploy his team in a back-four system in Qatar.

Clauss, who famously had a video shot during his time at Racing Club de Lens when he was called up to the national squad for the first time last season, continued to succeed in Ligue 1. Earning a move to the south of France this summer.

Though he remains an important player for Marseille. His ability as a wing-back rather than a full-back has resulted in his surprise omission from the team.

With one of the world's deepest player pools, Deschamps is spoiled for choice in terms of how he can first face Group D against Denmark, Tunisia, and Australia before setting their sights on a possible final appearance and then some.

2. Moussa Diaby

Diaby, a former PSG player who now plays for Bayern Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, is a France youth international who has represented the country at the U18, U19, U20, and U21 levels.

He had a goal and three assists at the 2018 UEFA European U19 Championship, earning him a spot in the tournament's team. The next summer, he scored one goal and assisted on two others in four matches at the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup. Which France lost in the Round of 16.

He was called up to the France senior squad for the first time on August 26, 2021. On September 1, 2021, he made his international debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match. He replaced Kylian Mbappé in the final minute of the contest. With the presence of Benzema, Mbappe, and Griezmann, Deschamps found it difficult to call him for this World Cup, but at the age of 23, he still has a lot to offer his country.

1. Wissam Ben Yedder

Ben Yedder scored once while playing in two futsal matches for France. And nine times when competing at the under-21 level.

Ben Yedder's parents are Tunisians, hence he meets FIFA requirements to represent Tunisia in international football. The Tunisian Football Federation made five attempts to convince him to play for them. They conceded defeat in October 2017 after he declined their invitation to include him in the squad prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Ben Yedder was selected by France manager Didier Deschamps for two exhibition games against Colombia and Russia in March 2018 after performing well for Sevilla. He replaced Olivier Giroud for the final 17 minutes of France's 3-2 loss to Colombia on March 23 at the Stade de France to make his debut. He was added to the standby list for the 23-man French World Cup squad on May 17.

In a 4-0 away victory against Andorra in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying game on June 11, 2019, Ben Yedder earned his first start for the France senior team and scored his first senior international goal. He leads Monaco as their captain and is their main striker. Contributing to 2 assists and scoring 9 goals in 20 games.