Benzema’s Brand New World Cup Twist: Deschamps at a Crossroads
14 December 2025
Benzema's World Cup Return: Deschamps at a Crossroads
The Karim Benzema saga has resurfaced in French football as speculation grows about a possible return to the France squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup, drawing attention to coach Didier Deschamps and the team's readiness for the big tournament.
Benzema, now 37, recently suggested he would like to wear the blue jersey again at the 2026 World Cup, despite retirement from international duty and a famous feud with Deschamps during the 2022 Qatar campaign.
According to French radio Monte Carlo, Deschamps has not opened Benzema's file within the coaching staff or the national federation, fearing such a move could unsettle the squad and upset the balance in the near term.
The report notes that Deschamps has surprised many by recalling players once thought finished, like Kanté and Rabiot, but Benzema's case is more delicate and could complicate contemporary plans.
Sources say any squad list Deschamps unveils could largely exclude the Real Madrid star for now, waiting on further developments.
Benzema has 97 international appearances, with 37 goals and 20 assists.
Punchline 1: If Benzema returns, France's bench will need a bigger roster and a bigger supply of croissants for morale. Punchline 2: Either way, the drama stays on the bench; the rest of us will keep sipping coffee and watching the soap opera unfold.
