The Italian Serie A continues to assert its global standing independently of the national team’s fortunes. While Italy will once again be spectators at the upcoming World Cup, the league they compete in remains a prime destination for attracting, nurturing, and showcasing top-tier football talent.
This undeniable reality has been underscored by the French national team’s recent squad selections. Reports from RMC Sport indicate that coach Didier Deschamps plans to include four Serie A players in his final roster for the 2026 World Cup, a tournament co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, which Italy will miss.
The squad announcement is slated for June 10, a date that starkly contrasts with Italy’s absence from the global showpiece.
Serie A Standouts in Deschamps’ French Squad
According to RMC Sport’s reported list, AC Milan’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan is set to be included. Over the past three seasons, Maignan has solidified his reputation as arguably Europe’s premier shot-stopper with his commanding presence, explosive reflexes, and technical precision. He is firmly established as France’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper.
Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram also secures his place following an outstanding 2025-26 season, during which he netted 16 goals in 34 Serie A appearances. This follows his impressive performance at Euro 2024, where he scored three goals in six games. The younger Thuram has become a consistently reliable forward on the international stage, a fact Deschamps is well aware of.
Adrien Rabiot, who moved to AC Milan on a free transfer from Juventus in the summer of 2025, also makes the cut. With 68 caps for France since 2016 and contributing three goals and six assists in 32 Serie A matches this season, Rabiot has revitalized his career with AC Milan. While his influence might be less ostentatious than at Juventus, he remains a vital presence at San Siro.
The most noteworthy inclusion is Manu Koné, the 24-year-old Roma midfielder who joined the club from Borussia Mönchengladbach for €35 million in January 2026. After registering four goals and five assists in 18 Serie A appearances, Koné has earned his maiden senior call-up to the French national team, a testament to Roma’s successful acquisition.
Serie A’s Resurgence: The Meaning Behind France’s Choices
The selection of four French internationals playing their club football in Serie A carries significant weight beyond mere statistics; it reflects a reputational shift. It signals that the league, which has long battled perceptions of tactical stagnation and declining prestige, has successfully re-established itself as a fertile ground where elite players not only join but also flourish.
Maignan and Thuram were already integral to France’s 2022 World Cup squad. Their continued prominence after seasons spent in Milan underscores Serie A’s capacity to nurture and retain international-calibre talent, rather than diminishing it.
The development of Scott McTominay into one of Serie A’s most dynamic midfielders at Napoli further exemplifies this trend, demonstrating the league’s ability to extract peak performance from players who may have been overlooked elsewhere.
The notable exclusions also provide insight. Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram, Marcus’s younger brother, reportedly misses out despite contributing five assists in 28 games. His Juventus teammate Pierre Kalulu is also overlooked, as is AC Milan’s Youssouf Fofana. Striker Christopher Nkunku, despite scoring 12 Premier League goals for Chelsea this season, has seen his injury record hinder his chances.
The intense competition for these spots, even among players based in Serie A, speaks volumes about the league’s current standing.
The Painful Paradox: Italy Absent, Serie A Represented
Italian football faces a difficult conversation this summer. The national team, the Azzurri, has once again failed to qualify for the World Cup. However, the league that hosts giants like Inter, Milan, Juventus, and Roma will still have representatives at the tournament, wearing the colours of France and likely several other nations.
As an analysis of Italy’s most valuable World Cup qualifying XI would reveal, the talent deficit is not within Serie A itself. The issue lies in the development pipeline that feeds the Azzurri, encompassing structures, youth development, and the willingness to give opportunities to young Italian players in a timely manner.
France, on the other hand, does not face such challenges. Deschamps will arrive in Los Angeles in June with Maignan guarding his goal, Thuram spearheading his attack, Rabiot orchestrating his midfield, and Koné providing dynamism from the bench. All four have either been developed or significantly enhanced their game in Serie A. Italy will not be there to witness it, but their league will be.