Image Credits: Imago Images
Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has officially announced first France squad after being appointed head coach of Les Bleus in July.
The French football icon named Kylian Mbappe as captain while leaving out former squad members Aurélien Tchouaméni and Marcus Thuram.
Zidane also named five new players, including goalkeeper Guillaume Restes, defenders Andy Diouf and Jeremy Jacquet, midfielder Lucas Da Cunha and striker Esteban Le Paul.
The 54-year-old, who helped France win their first World Cup on home soil in 1998, returns to the national team tasked with turning recent near-misses into trophies.
Zidane enjoyed a glittering managerial career at Real Madrid, leading the Spanish giants to three successive Champions League titles.
Similar success will be expected with France as they build towards the 2028 European Championship and 2030 World Cup.
France won the 2018 World Cup, finished runners-up to Argentina in 2022 and reached the semi-finals of this year’s tournament.
Zidane was appointed France coach until the 2030 World Cup in July, succeeding Didier Deschamps and becoming the third member of France’s 1998 World Cup-winning team to lead Les Bleus.
He will take charge for the first time in the Nations League group stage against Turkey on September 25. France will then travel to Belgium before hosting Italy and Belgium in October.
Liverpool centre-back Jacquet was included as a reward for his performances since joining the Premier League club during the summer alongside fellow new signing Bradley Barcola.
Jacquet has featured in every game for Liverpool this season. He has represented France at youth level and remains eligible for the Under-21s, making five appearances, including three last season before dislocating his shoulder.
Below is France full squad:
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan/ITA), Robin Risser (Lens), Guillaume Restes (Toulouse).
Defenders: Andy Diouf (Inter Milan/ITA), Jeremy Jacquet (Liverpool/ENG), Ibrahima Konate (Real Madrid/ESP), Pierre Kalulu (Juventus/ITA), Jules Kounde (Barcelona/ESP), Maxence Lacroix (Chelsea/ENG), Adrien Truffert (Bournemouth/ENG), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich/GER).
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid/ESP), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City/ENG), Lucas Da Cunha (Como/ITA), Manu Kone (Roma/ITA), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan/ITA), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
Forwards: Bradley Barcola (Liverpool/ENG), Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue (both Paris Saint-Germain), Esteban Lepaul (Rennes), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid/ESP), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/GER).
📋 Zinédine Zidane has revealed his first squad as head coach 🇫🇷
Five players get their first call-ups: Restes, Diouf, Jacquet, Da Cunha and Lepaul 🙌
🔜 The international break starts next week, with four Nations League matches to come! pic.twitter.com/dmnUJ2scdm
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) September 18, 2026
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