Zinedine Zidane has included the uncapped quintet of Guillaume Restes, Andy Diouf, Jeremy Jacquet, Lucas Da Cunha and Esteban Lepaul in his first France squad.
Zidane, who took over after Didier Deschamps retired after the World Cup, selected 20 outfield players and three goalkeepers for four League of Nations matches between September 25 and October 5.
Jacquet has been rewarded for a promising start Liverpool career, while Da Cunha has been a prominent member of the Como side that have progressed from Serie B to the Champions League over the past four years.
Zidane said: “It’s a first selection, a first meeting. The ideas were very clear. Maybe you have one or two players who are not there because of a lack of playing time or a small injury, but there has been a lot of work since my appointment on July 28.
“This break is good with 15 days together, four games to play. We’ll play every three days, so everyone will be involved. My way of watching football? You’ll see. I’m excited for the games. I want to see this team play. We’ve got the players.”
Zidane also confirmed that Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe would retain the captaincy, but there was no place for veteran midfielder N’Golo Kante, who went to the World Cup but did not play a single minute.
“It’s an option, but I think there are players to develop this team,” added the former Real Madrid coach. “It has nothing to do with his (Kant’s) qualities. He is an extraordinary player in the French national team. I congratulate him for what he has done.”
The 23 blues summoned by Zinédine Zidane for the first meeting of the season 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/HghfdF2hx3
— Team France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) September 18, 2026
France League of Nations 2026 matches
Turkey – France (September 25 in Izmit)
Belgium – France (September 28 in Brussels)
Fance against Italy (October 2 in Paris)
France – Belgium (October 5 in Paris)
Selection of the League of Nations of France
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Guillaume Restes (Toulouse), Robin Risser (Lens)
Defenders: Andy Diouf (Inter Milan), Jeremy Jacquet (Liverpool), Pierre Kalulu (Juventus), Ibrahima Konate (Real Madrid), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Maxence Lacroix (Chelsea), Adrien Truffert (Bournemouth), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Lucas Da Cunha (Cômo), Manu Koné (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG)
Forwards: Bradley Barcola (Liverpool), Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Desire Doue (PSG), Esteban Lepaul (Rennes), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
