Didier Deschamps has announced a list of 24 players for the upcoming match against Ukraine in the play-offs for the Brazil 2014 World Cup. The squad includes the 23 players who participated in the last match against Finland.
The inclusion of Rio Mavuba, the Lille midfielder, was the only surprise in the selection. Deschamps defended the decision, stating, “The initial 23 names that were planned are there, plus Rio Mavuba. (…) He was with us at the start, then he had an injury and had difficulty coming back. He’s been having good matches for a few weeks, it was normal to remind him. But there is strong competition for this position.”
Mavuba’s last selection dates back to September 11, 2012. The first leg of the play-offs is scheduled for November 15 in Ukraine, with the return match on the 19th in France.
