It would have been difficult to imagine, just a few months ago, that Lucas Chevalier would not be playing in the 2026 World Cup with France.
A likely first-choice goalkeeper for Paris Saint-Germain, whom he joined last summer, the 24-year-old also made his debut for Les Bleus in the autumn. And even though his performances were at times considered inconsistent, Luis Enrique had not opted to pick Matvey Safonov, Paris’s designated second-choice goalkeeper – who had, incidentally, stood in for him when he was injured in November – over him.
But everything changed one evening in late January, when the Russian, starting against Newcastle United in the Champions League, unwittingly upended a pecking order that Enrique had never really established.
This marked the start of a long decline for Chevalier, who has not played a single minute for Les Rouge et Bleu since. A difficult situation for the Calais native, whose introverted nature led him to gradually withdraw from his teammates, to the point where some senior players in the dressing room began to express concern.
Lucas Chevalier’s role with France under threat
In this context, Didier Deschamps himself no longer seems certain that he can count on his third-choice goalkeeper. Especially since, according to L’Équipe, his performances in training during the last gathering in the United States did not really convince his teammates, although his attitude was praised by the France coaching staff.
All these factors, as the date approaches for the announcement of Deschamps’ squad for the 2026 World Cup, raise questions about his selection for the tournament.
And particularly because of the fierce competition Chevalier faces – although he still has the edge in his manager’s eyes. In recent months, the names of RC Lens’ Robin Risser and Como’s Jean Butez have been mentioned as potential additions to the France squad. West Ham’s Alphonse Areola (five caps) could also be an option. As would Hugo Lloris (145 caps) who, although he has announced his retirement from international football in 2023, could well see himself making a comeback for one last run.
