World Cup 2014 Qualifiers: France Squad/Roster Announced Ahead Of Spain Tilt; Real Madrid's Varane Called Up

France manager Didier Deschamps has named his roster ahead of the March 26 tilt with Spain. The winner of that match will likely decide the winner of Group I. After drawing 1-1 in Spain, expectations are the highest they have been in years for the Frenchman. Deschamps even claims that France is expected to defeat Spain.

"Emotionally, it [the result against Spain] was very strong; Olivier Giroud's equalizer caused great joy on the bench and for those watching on TV," he told publication Laprovence.com. "The feeling before the game was one of pessimism. Today, in the minds of the fans, they imagine we will beat Spain."

The spotlight will shine brightest on striker Karim Benzema, the Real Madrid striker that has not produced for the national team. Benzema has scored 15 goals in 55 games for France and has not scored in his last 10 goals despite expectations that he would be the star striker.  

''No, it doesn't weigh on me, of course I want to score but I can't start thinking 'I must score, I must score' because it will affect my game,'' Benzema stated regarding his scoring drought. ''I am criticized every time in France, but that is part of my status now and you have to accept it with a smile,'' he said. ''There are always difficult moments in a career, now I am coming back well and I feel really good.''

Goalkeepers: Mickael Landreau (Bastia), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Steve Mandanda (Marseille)

Defenders: Gaël Clichy (Manchester City), Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Christophe Jallet (Paris Saint-Germain), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Mamadou Sakho (Paris Saint-Germain), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid), Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (Newcastle United)

Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United), Maxime Gonalons (Lyon), Blaise Matuidi (Paris Saint-Germain), Dimitri Payet (Lille), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle United), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille)

Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Bafetimbi Gomis (Lyon), Jeremy Menez (Paris Saint-Germain), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Loic Rémy (Queens Park Rangers)