Didier Deschamps named his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, but Manchester United’s Leny Yoro can have no complaints after missing out.
While Manchester United secured their primary objective of Champions League qualification, the 2025/26 campaign proved more challenging on an individual level for Leny Yoro.
At the age of 20, Yoro will be afforded time, but he has struggled for confidence this season and could be excused by the chopping and changing of defensive systems from Ruben Amorim’s back-three to Michael Carrick’s more traditional back-four.
Yoro is still playing at U21 level for France, so he wasn’t anywhere close to contention for Didier Deschamps’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
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Deschamps will be looking to replicate his World Cup heroics from 2018 before leaving his role after the 2026 edition.
There was no room for United’s Yoro in France’s squad for the World Cup, which is understandable because he is nowhere near the senior French side. Injuries have undoubtedly made it harder for Yoro to work his way into Deschamps’ plans.
France’s 26-man World Cup squad
- Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Robin Risser, Brice Samba
- Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Maxence Lacroix, Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano
- Midfielders: N’Golo Kante, Manu Kone, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, Warren Zaire-Emery, Warren Zaire-Emery
- Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappe, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Marcus Thuram
France’s talent pool is second to none, which makes it a good way to judge Yoro as a top defender.
Yoro’s ability remains evident despite his recent struggles, which is why he needs to start kicking on next season.
The young defender should make it an objective to be in the France squad by the time the European Championships come around in 2028. From a United perspective, after spending big money to sign him from Lille almost two years ago, we will be demanding an improvement over the coming years.
That gives Yoro two years, so he will be 22 and have more experience under his belt, granted he can steer clear of injuries.
Then, he can focus on doing what it takes to make the World Cup squad in 2030.
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Leny Yoro will have a new manager to impress
While Deschamps remains in the dugout for the World Cup, many French outlets believe Zinedine Zidane is waiting in the wings to be his successor.
Regardless of who replaces Deschamps, Yoro will have a new manager to impress in the France national team.
That only makes next season more important for Yoro at United.
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