In France’s first international window under Zinedine Zidane, the most significant adjustment may come on the left side of the forward line. Kylian Mbappé is expected to move wide for Friday’s meeting with Turkey, while Ousmane Dembélé is being considered for the central attacking role.
Key takeaways
- Zidane has named Mbappé as France captain for his first squad selection.
- The new coach prefers the Real Madrid forward on the left of the attack.
- Dembélé is in line to lead the line as the No. 9 against Turkey.
- Mbappé has recorded 21 goals and 16 assists in 32 France appearances from the left wing.
- His last competitive start in that position for France came against Spain in the Euro 2024 semi-final.
Zidane restores Mbappé to a familiar international role
Zidane discussed the planned positional change directly with Mbappé before announcing his first France call-up list. Although the captain can operate anywhere across the front three, the coach made clear that he sees the left flank as the player’s strongest setting.
“Mbappé will be my captain,” Zidane said when presenting the squad. “He can play in all three attacking positions, but I personally prefer him on the left.”
The decision represents a contrast with Mbappé’s day-to-day role in Madrid. Since joining Real Madrid in 2024, he has largely been deployed through the middle, with Vinicius Junior established on the left side of the Spanish club’s attack.
For France, however, Mbappé’s record from that flank offers Zidane a substantial reference point. Across 32 appearances starting on the left, he has contributed 21 goals and 16 assists. The last time he began an official match there for the national team was the Euro 2024 semi-final defeat to Spain; he has generally played more centrally for both club and country since then.
Dembélé offers the central alternative
The expected arrangement for Zidane’s debut against Turkey would place Mbappé back in his earlier France role, with Dembélé operating through the centre. The Paris Saint-Germain attacker is not unfamiliar with the assignment, having previously played as a centre-forward during his time with the French club.
The selection gives Zidane an immediate attacking decision after 14 years of Didier Deschamps’ tenure: keep France’s leading star in the central lane he has occupied recently, or return him to the wide-left position where his international output has been particularly prolific. For the Turkey fixture, the latter appears set to be the answer.
