Fans left in hysterics at Rayan Cherki's awkward squad photo pose
Manchester City's Rayan Cherki has gone viral after striking an awkward pose in France's official 2026 World Cup squad photo.
During France's official team photo session at Clairefontaine ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Manchester City star Rayan Cherki became the talk of social media. The 22-year-old playmaker was spotted in the front row of the portrait, striking an unusually tense and awkward squat that immediately sparked a wave of memes and jokes online.
Fans quickly took to social media to express their confusion and amusement regarding the player's posture. While some joked about his physical distress, others speculated that he was trying to crouch low to avoid blocking his teammates, though this did not stop the viral reaction.
The photo also featured Kylian Mbappe, whose positioning directly in front of President Emmanuel Macron caught the eye of many observers. Meanwhile, head coach Didier Deschamps remains focused on the serious task of managing a highly talented French squad.
The team is focused on the tournament despite the light-hearted moments. Managing this group of attacking stars is a challenge, with players like Ousmane Dembele, Marcus Thuram, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola, and Desire Doue all pushing for minutes. Didier Deschamps
The coaching staff is currently monitoring the squad's fitness, with defensive pillar William Saliba managing a back issue that may require surgery following the tournament. The French side is now preparing for their opening Group I match against Senegal.