World Cup
Even the traffic jams made a cameo.
Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring a goal at Gillette Stadium in the March friendly against Brazil. Lane Turner/Globe Staff
May 15, 2026 | 11:25 AM
3 minutes to read
France unveils World Cup squad: When France’s team arrives for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June, it will be to Boston accommodations.
The European powerhouse is set to stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston and train at Bentley University in Waltham. The French team will then play Senegal at MetLife Stadium on June 16, Iraq on June 22 at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, and then Norway at Gillette Stadium (known as “Boston Stadium” by FIFA) on June 26.
Having reached the final of the last two men’s World Cups (and having won in 2018), France remains in possession of one of the most talented rosters in the tournament. The team’s attacking setup alone — fielding players like Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, and Ousmane Dembélé — is arguably the best in the world.
One of the ironic problems for French national team manager Didier Deschamps is trimming his roster down to the maximum allowed squad size for a World Cup (26 players).
On Thursday, France unveiled its squad for the World Cup (and the players who will be coming to Boston) in a video styled like a U.S.-themed sitcom intro.
Diners, barbecue, and even the inevitable traffic jams were among things that got shoutouts:
𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒄𝒖𝒏 𝒂 𝒖𝒏 𝒓𝒐̂𝒍𝒆 𝒂̀ 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒆𝒓 🇫🇷🌎
Voici nos 26 Bleus qui représenteront la France à la 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐞 𝐝𝐮 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 ! 🔥#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/CqKUzJpSK0
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) May 14, 2026
The “Clear Fountain” naming of the fictitious town is an American-ized reference to the French national team’s training center where it develops its players, Clairefontaine.
As for the squad itself, it immediately places France in the conversation as potential winners. Anything short of a late-stage run in the knockout round will be seen as a disappointment.
A few notable players like Lens winger Florian Thauvin, Tottenham’s Randal Kolo Muani, and Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga were omitted from the final squad.
Here’s the full roster:
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Brice Samba, Robin Risser.
Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernández, Theo Hernández, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano.
Midfielders: N’Golo Kanté, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Warren Zaïre-Emery.
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram.
Trivia: What legendary French star and World Cup winner played his final professional game at Gillette Stadium in the 2014 MLS Eastern Conference Finals?
(Answer at the bottom)
Hint: He made his professional debut for Monaco.
Scores and schedules:
The Red Sox lost to Phillies 3-1 on Thursday. Boston begins a three-game series against the Braves in Atlanta tonight at 7:15 p.m.
Legacy FC face Bay FC tonight in San Jose at 10 p.m.
And the Revolution host Minnesota United at Gillette Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
The Patriots’ 2026 schedule announcement: New England rolled out its slate of games with a Six Flags-themed video (including a small Drake Maye cameo).
On this day: In 1894, a fire that started in the bleachers of the South End Grounds ballpark eventually displaced almost 2,000 people in the Boston neighborhood and destroyed multiple buildings.
The result for the home team (the Boston Beaneaters) was the destruction of the city’s original iconic ballpark. The spires of what had been described as a “cathedral-like grand stand” were completely destroyed in the fire. A new ground would be built, but (due to not having enough insurance coverage) it would be a more modest construction.
– Boston Globe Archives
Daily highlight: Enjoy this absolutely unbelievable bit of skill from Mitch Marner to score for the Golden Knights in a series-clinching 5-1 win over the Ducks.
Trivia answer: Thierry Henry
Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.
⚽ Get the latest World Cup news
Receive updates on the 2026 FIFA World Cup
