Ibrahima Konaté

Ibrahima Konaté is a confirmed defender in France's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, named by Didier Deschamps on 14 May 2026 and listed in the defender group alongside Malo Gusto, Lucas Digne, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Théo Hernandez, Lucas Hernandez and Maxence Lacroix. The Liverpool centre-back is 27 at kick-off and brings 27 senior France caps into the squad, making this his second World Cup after Qatar 2022.

France face Senegal, Iraq and Norway in Group I, with the opener against Senegal at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on 16 June. Deschamps' side qualified by winning UEFA Group D on 13 November 2025, and Konaté is listed among the defenders as a primarily central defender who has also covered at right-back in rotated France squads.

Konaté is a centre-back whose game is built on aerial duels, recovery pace and step-up tackling, with the line-keeping discipline expected of a senior international defender. His primary role is in central defence, though he has covered at right-back in rotated France squads.

On attacking set-pieces he adds an aerial presence in the box, even if his France record stands at no international goals. With 27 caps behind him, he is one of the defenders Deschamps can call on in the back line for the 2026 World Cup.

France are a Tier 1 pick on the Goal Rush card at £32m within the game's £200m card budget, the premium top-band slot rather than a mid- or lower-tier call. The Group I draw against Senegal, Iraq and Norway sets the early fixture context, with Deschamps' confirmed 4-2-3-1 and France's UEFA Group D qualifying run giving the team slot its main Goal Rush angle.

Konaté is part of the France team card at that £32m slot as a listed centre-back.