The first four nights of Zinédine Zidane’s France tenure have left the Stade de France glowing and the selection debate wide open. Three wins, one draw and a 4-1 dismantling of Belgium have given the new coach an unbeaten start in the Nations League, while several younger players have forced their way into the picture.
An unbeaten opening for Zidane
- France began the campaign with a 1-0 victory away to Turkey.
- Another narrow 1-0 win followed in Belgium.
- The meeting with Italy ended 1-1, a draw that carried frustration for the French side.
- France then welcomed Belgium to the Stade de France and turned the contest emphatically in their favour, winning 4-1 on Monday night.
Zidane has immediately leaned towards an attacking approach, using the depth available in the French forward line. Yet his first gathering also featured bold selection calls further back, with inexperienced full-backs tested and midfield opportunities handed to Lucas Da Cunha and Rayan Cherki.
The emerging France XI
Mike Maignan remains the clear first-choice goalkeeper after starting the first three matches. Guillaume Restes replaced him against Belgium and impressed on his senior debut, but Maignan was one of only two players selected unanimously in a 30-vote assessment of the squad.
Michael Olise was the other unanimous choice. The forward delivered four goals and two assists across the international break, securing the right-sided attacking role in a preferred 4-3-3.
At centre-back, Dayot Upamecano and Jérémy Jacquet have emerged as the leading partnership. Upamecano was viewed as a defensive leader before his late red card against Italy, while 21-year-old Jacquet caught the eye with his composure despite limited top-level experience.
- Mike Maignan: 30 votes
- Dayot Upamecano: 27 votes
- Jérémy Jacquet: 26 votes
- Adrien Truffert: 26 votes
- Jules Koundé: 16 votes
Adrien Truffert made the strongest claim at left-back, particularly with Lucas Digne and the Hernandez brothers unavailable. Andy Diouf was also used there despite not being accustomed to the position. On the opposite flank, Jules Koundé narrowly edged Pierre Kalulu, who received 14 votes to Koundé’s 16.
Midfield chances taken
Da Cunha has made an immediate impact after receiving his first France call-up. The Como midfielder earned 26 votes, the same total as Cherki, who has been deployed by Zidane as part of a three-man midfield.
Eduardo Camavinga, back with France after missing the 2026 World Cup, was another near-unanimous inclusion with 28 votes. His return gives Zidane a more established option alongside two players who have used this opening camp to raise their standing.
Doué’s sharp cameo and the No. 9 debate
Désiré Doué has grown in influence from the left. The Paris player made a devastating contribution from the bench in the Belgium win, scoring once and supplying two assists in only 18 minutes. He received 29 votes for a place in the side.
The centre-forward position produced the closest major debate. Kylian Mbappé won the role with 17 votes despite limited minutes and a tendency to drift towards the left, leaving Ousmane Dembélé on eight votes.
| Position | Player | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Mike Maignan | 30 |
| Right-back | Jules Koundé | 16 |
| Centre-back | Dayot Upamecano | 27 |
| Centre-back | Jérémy Jacquet | 26 |
| Left-back | Adrien Truffert | 26 |
| Midfield | Lucas Da Cunha | 26 |
| Midfield | Eduardo Camavinga | 28 |
| Midfield | Rayan Cherki | 26 |
| Right wing | Michael Olise | 30 |
| Centre-forward | Kylian Mbappé | 17 |
| Left wing | Désiré Doué | 29 |
November offers a qualification route
France return to Nations League action on 12 November in Italy before hosting Turkey three days later. Avoiding defeat against Italy would be enough to send Zidane’s team through to the quarter-finals.
