Olivier Giroud ‘is set to be named in Didier Deschamps’ France squad for Qatar World Cup on Wednesday’… with the 36-year-old striker needing just two goals to match Thierry Henry’s all-time scoring record for Les Bleus
- The AC Milan striker is set to be named in Didier Deschamps’ squad for Qatar
- Olivier Giroud has played a key role for much of Deschamps reign as coach
- Deschamps is set to name his 26-man squad on Wednesday ahead of defence
Didier Deschamps is reportedly set to name Olivier Giroud in his final 26-man squad for the Qatar World Cup, to be announced on Wednesday.
Giroud, 36, has played a key role in Deschamps’ decade-long reign including starting all but one game as France marched to their second World Cup crown in my Russia four years ago.
Having been named in the squad for September’s Nations League games, according to a RMC Sport Giroud will be fielding another positive call from Deschamps – a coach who in the past has spoken of the forward’s importance to his side.
Olivier Giroud is reportedly set to be named in France’s squad for the year Qatar World Cup
Deschamps’ squad selection will provide Giroud the opportunity to match, and perhaps beat, Thierry Henry’s scoring record for Les Bleus.
Henry scored 51 goals in 123 games for the national team, winning a World Cup and a European Championship.
Giroud has 49 goals in 113 appearances.
The French forward (C) has scored 49 goals for the national team – two fewer than Thierry Henry
The AC Milan forward comes into the World Cup in stellar form, having scored nine goals across all competitions for his club this season – including four in the Champions League as they made it out of their group.
Milan currently sit second in the table after their win over Spezia over the weekend, five points behind the still-unbeaten Napoli.
Giroud scored the winner at the death before being sent off for a second booking having removed his shirt in wild celebration.
Giroud scored his ninth goal of the season in all competitions in a dramatic late win for AC Milan
Asked after the game about his potential World Cup hopes – with France bidding to become the first country since Brazil in 1962 to retain their crown.
‘The possibility of playing in a third World Cup is very important. For me, it’s an objective to keep this title,’ Giroud said on Saturday.
‘We have a great team. We have a lot of hopes with all the talents that France has. But I don’t want to think about the World Cup now, we’ll see on Wednesday when Didier Deschamps communicates his list.’
He refused to be drawn on questions regarding the World Cup and said wait and see until Didier Deschamps (pictured) announces his squad
