Paris begins a new international chapter with Zinedine Zidane now at the centre of France’s plans. The former Real Madrid coach and one of the defining figures of the French game has named his first squad since taking over in August 2026 from Didier Deschamps, with Kylian Mbappé handed the captaincy.
The news from the club
Zidane has placed Mbappé at the head of his first France selection and made clear that the Real Madrid forward will wear the armband. “He will be my captain,” Zidane said.
Mbappé is joined by two other Real Madrid players, Ibrahima Konaté and Eduardo Camavinga. Barcelona defender Jules Koundé is also included as Zidane begins his spell in charge of Les Bleus.
Five players receive new opportunities in the group: goalkeeper Guillaume Restes, midfielder Andy Diouf, defender Jérémy Jacquet, Lucas Da Cunha and striker Estéban Lepaul.
France will be without William Saliba and Theo Hernández because of injury. A wider set of players has not been selected for this opening squad, including Brice Samba, Lucas Digne, Wesley Fofana, Lucas Hernández, Nordi Mukiele, Matthieu Udo, Boubacar Kamara, N’Golo Kanté, Enzo Le Fée, Pablo Pagis, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Khéphren Thuram.
Further forward, Maghnes Akliouche, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Senny Mayulu and Marcus Thuram are also absent from Zidane’s first call-up.
A Nations League opening across Turkey, Belgium and Paris
Zidane’s first four matches arrive at the start of the Nations League campaign. His debut on the France bench will come on 25 September in İzmit, where France face Turkey in Group 1.
The team then travels to Brussels to meet Belgium on 28 September. France return home for two fixtures at the Stade de France: Italy visit on 2 October, followed by Belgium three days later.
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 25 September | Turkey | İzmit |
| 28 September | Belgium | Brussels |
| 2 October | Italy | Stade de France |
| 5 October | Belgium | Stade de France |
