Kevin Tillie, an integral part of "Les Bleus" for over a decade, made the difficult decision to withdraw from the Nations League and the 2025 World Championship in the Philippines to stay with his family. The two-time Olympic champion explained:
"My partner and I are having our second child this season. I also have another child who is 5 years old, and I couldn't see myself leaving her alone. It was a risky decision, but I chose to take it."
15 instead of 14 because of Ngapeth
After the second friendly match against Serbia in Cannes (4:0), coach Andrea Giani announced a group of 15 players who will depart for Okinawa (Japan) on August 31. Training will conclude there before the team heads to Manila on September 11 for the start of Group C against South Korea (September 14).
The reason for the expanded squad is the condition of Earvin Ngapeth, who is recovering from a knee injury. "We will decide at the very end whether he plays. He needs time and attention, because after two months without volleyball, recovery is not easy," Giani commented. The 15th player will be considered a medical joker, ready to step in in case of a potential new injury.
Who dropped out and who made the squad
Besides Kevin Tillie, middle blocker Joris Seddik, who is recovering from an ankle problem, remained out of the squad. In his place, the coach chose Quentin Jouffroy, well-known for his strong serve and role as a "hidden weapon" since 2022.
Among the selected players are 11 of the 12 Olympic champions from Paris. The new faces are:
libero Benjamin Diez,
outside hitter Timothée Carle (Paris reserve),
middle blocker François Huetz,
young outside hitter Mathis Henno.
Giani emphasized that Henno and Huetz have established themselves with consistent work and have transformed their talent into real effectiveness during the Nations League.
France's squad for the 2025 World Championship, from which one player will be dropped
| Player | Position | Club 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Toniutti | Setter | Jastrzębski Węgiel (Poland) |
| Antoine Brizard | Setter | Osaka Blazers Sakai (Japan) |
| Jenya Grebennikov | Libero | Zenit Saint Petersburg (Russia) |
| Benjamin Diez | Libero | Padua (Italy) |
| Trevor Clevenot | Outside Hitter | Ziraat Bankkart Ankara (Turkey) |
| Timothée Carle | Outside Hitter | Wolfdogs Nagoya (Japan) |
| Yacine Louati | Outside Hitter | Rzeszów (Poland) |
| Mathis Henno | Outside Hitter | Gorzow (Poland) |
| Earvin Ngapeth | Outside Hitter | Fenerbahce (Turkey) |
| Théo Faure | Opposite | Trentino Volley (Italy) |
| Jean Patry | Opposite | Galatasaray (Turkey) |
| Nicolas Le Goff | Center | Montpellier (France) |
| François Huetz | Center | Paris Volley (France) |
| Barthélémy Chinenyeze | Center | Fenerbahce (Turkey) |
| Quentin Jouffroy | Center | Montpellier (France) |
France heads to the Philippines with a balanced and very strong squad. The outside hitter position is the most competitive \u2013 with Ngapeth, Clevenot, Louati, Carle, and Lyneel. Kevin Tillie's absence is most felt here, as his experience and stability would have been a valuable asset. At the same time, however, the new faces bring fresh energy and a desire to prove themselves.
The last friendly match against Brazil on September 10 will be a dress rehearsal before the "Roosters" attack the only trophy missing from this "golden generation" \u2013the world title.
photo: volleyballworld.com
