Tonight, all eyes are on Didier Deschamps as he prepares to announce his squad for the 2026 World Cup in America. The France manager isn't known for dramatic shake-ups, but he has a knack for dropping a surprise or two when it matters most—like ahead of major tournaments such as the Euros or World Cup.

As we wait for the latest list, let's revisit those moments when Deschamps caught us off guard with unexpected call-ups.

Back in 2014, ahead of his first World Cup as France's boss, Deschamps raised eyebrows by naming Morgan Schneiderlin and Rémy Cabella as reserves. Injuries to Franck Ribéry and Clément Grenier just before the tournament opened the door for both newcomers to join the squad. Schneiderlin even got a taste of action, coming off the bench against Ecuador in the final group match, while Cabella remained an unused substitute throughout the competition.

Fast forward to 2018, and the selection of Steven Nzonzi for the World Cup squad sparked a major controversy. The Sevilla midfielder, called up for the first time in November 2017, was chosen over Adrien Rabiot—who was only named as a reserve. Rabiot's response was explosive: he publicly refused the reserve spot in a statement, making headlines for days and creating a media firestorm.

Then there's the story of a comeback that seemed impossible. After years of tension and fallout that had overshadowed the France camp, Karim Benzema made a stunning return for Euro 2020. Rumors had swirled the day before, keeping the nation on edge for 24 hours until Deschamps confirmed the Real Madrid star's name on TF1's evening news. Unfortunately, even with Benzema back in the fold, France fell to Switzerland in the round of 16—a bitter end to a dramatic reunion.

As we gear up for tonight's announcement, one thing is certain: Deschamps knows how to keep us guessing.