Where is Paul Pogba? France World Cup winner's omission explained

Missing out: Paul Pogba was omitted from France's squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026 after failing to prove his fitness. The 33-year-old midfielder admitted himself that participating in this summer's tournament was always an unrealistic dream due to his severe lack of match sharpness. Prolonged absence: The World Cup 2018 winner had to rebuild his career after being handed a four-year doping ban in February 2024 after testing positive for "non-endogenous testosterone metabolites." His suspension was then reduced to 18 months on appeal by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, meaning he was able to return to action on the pitch from March 2025 onwards, after they accepted his argument that his ingestion of a banned substance "was not intentional". Injury struggles: Pogba joined AS Monaco on a two-year deal in the summer of 2025 after his contract was terminated by Juventus. However, his return to football has been hampered by persistent knee injures, meaning he missed large portions of the 2025-26 season and was even left out of Monaco's Champions League knockout squad. Midfield competition: French manager Didier Deschamps remains fond of the player, but could not justify picking him based purely on his past status. The national team boasts incredible depth in the middle of the pitch, meaning Pogba needed to be playing regularly to stand any chance. Distant goal: Pogba has candidly accepted his current situation, describing a potential return to the national team as an "ultra-bonus" rather than an immediate obsession. He insists his primary focus right now is simply on returning to peak physical condition and getting consistent minutes for his club. Adidas ambassador: Despite missing out on a spot in the final squad, the former Manchester United star has still flown to the United States this summer. He is currently attending the tournament in a commercial capacity while working as an official ambassador for sportswear brand Adidas. Supporting the team: The midfielder also plans to closely follow the French team's progress as a dedicated fan rather than a key player. He expressed a strong desire to visit the squad and support Deschamps, who is managing what is set to be his final major tournament for Les Bleus. Upcoming quarter-final: France will be hoping to continue their impressive run without Pogba when they face Morocco in the quarter-finals on Thursday evening. The highly anticipated match takes place at the Boston Stadium in Massachussetts, serving as a rematch of their semi-final four years ago in Qatar. READ MORE: Arsene Wenger says only one team can stop France winning World Cup - and it's not England