Europe 1 with AFP 3:02 p.m., November 4, 2021

For the last qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup, the Blues, well on their way to validating their tickets, have a classic group.

With the absence of Mike Maignan, usual number 2 and currently injured, Alphonse Areola makes his return to the French.

West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was recalled Thursday to the French team in the absence of Mike Maignan for the last qualifying matches at the 2022 World Cup. Raphaël Varane, injured, Anthony Martial and Olivier Giroud, still sidelined, will miss these met. In the absence of goalkeeper number 2 Mike Maignan, injured, Didier Deschamps therefore trusted Alphonse Areola, world champion in 2018, and Benoît Costil alongside captain Hugo Lloris. The Blues welcome Kazakhstan on November 13 at the Parc des Princes and move three days later to Finland.

Sacred in Russia in 2018 as the third goalkeeper, Areola (28 years old, 3 caps) is back in the squad for the first time since November 2019. At West Ham, he is certainly not a holder in the Premier League, but his performances in the League Cup and the Europa League have impressed: the player loaned by PSG has not conceded a single goal in four appearances and distinguished himself in the exploits against Manchester United and Manchester City, eliminated from the Cup. 

Deschamps advocates "logic and continuity"

For the rest, Deschamps largely trusted the group of players who won the Nations League in Italy in October and explained that he favored "logic and continuity", especially "when things go well".

In defense, the absence of Raphaël Varane, injured Tuesday with Manchester United in the Champions League, is compensated numerically by Kurt Zouma, in good shape with West Ham.

The rest of the rearguard is similar to that of October, with Benjamin Pavard, Jules Koundé, Lucas Hernandez, Lucas Digne, Dayot Upamecano, Presnel Kimpembe, Léo Dubois and Théo Hernandez, renewed after his great performances in the League of Nations.

Coman, Guendouzi and Tchouaméni well present

For this last gathering of the year, the coach also recorded an important return to midfield with N'Golo Kanté. Affected by the Covid-19 in October, the Chelsea player logically finds his place in midfield, alongside Paul Pogba and Adrien Rabiot. Young Mattéo Guendouzi and Aurélien Tchouaméni also retain their place.

In attack, Kingsley Coman will find Clairefontaine after having undergone a heart surgery in September.

Anthony Martial, who has not played a game for a month with Manchester United, is however absent.

Les Bleus, at the top of Group D in the World Cup qualifiers, will qualify for the World Cup in Qatar if they beat Kazakhstan on November 13.

Even in the event of a poor performance, a draw would be enough for them on November 16 in Finland to validate their ticket.