France enter a new international window with Zinedine Zidane’s first squad, a 23-man selection for Nations League fixtures against Turkey, Belgium and Italy that opens the post-Didier Deschamps era.
Key takeaways
- Zidane has named 23 players for his first camp as France coach.
- Kylian Mbappé will remain France captain under the new manager.
- The group contains three goalkeepers and 20 outfield players.
- France face Turkey, Belgium and Italy during the forthcoming Nations League programme.
- The selection follows 14 years in which Didier Deschamps led the national side.
A first selection shaped by fitness and match rhythm
Zidane, appointed on 28 July, said the process of forming his opening squad had required extensive consideration after players returned from a World Cup. Injuries and recent playing time were among the decisive factors, with some omissions made deliberately because of limited minutes or minor physical problems.
The former France midfielder and World Cup winner said he had been working intensely since taking the job and wanted a compact party for the first gathering. Rather than expanding the group to 25 or 26, he chose a squad built around 20 outfield players and three keepers.
Mbappé, now at Real Madrid, retains the armband as Zidane begins his tenure. The forward is joined by fellow attackers Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué of Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool’s Bradley Barcola, Rennes forward Estéban Lepaul and Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise.
France squad for the Nations League
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Mike Maignan (Milan), Guillaume Restes (Toulouse), Robin Risser (Lens) |
| Defenders | Diouf (Inter Milan), Jérémy Jacquet (Liverpool), Pierre Kalulu (Juventus), Ibrahima Konaté (Real Madrid), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Maxence Lacroix (Chelsea), Adrien Truffert (Bournemouth), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich) |
| Midfielders | Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Lucas Da Cunha (Como), Manu Koné (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (Milan), Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain) |
| Forwards | Bradley Barcola (Liverpool), Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain), Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain), Estéban Lepaul (Rennes), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) |
The camp will run for 15 days and includes four matches, with fixtures arriving every three days. Zidane stressed that the schedule should give every member of the squad a role during the period.
He said supporters would begin to see his footballing ideas, centred on a balanced side that is prepared to play. “I want to see this team play,” Zidane said, adding that France possess the personnel required to do so.
