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Hugo Ekitike (23) is reportedly in a strong position to receive his first-ever senior France call-up from Didier Deschamps, but the _Les Bleus_ manager is yet to decide whether or not he’ll call up the in-form Liverpool centre-forward for France’s upcoming games, according to [**TF1**](https://x.com/telefoot_TF1/status/1959557004998943171). Deschamps will reveal on Wednesday his squad for France’s first 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
_Les Bleus_ will face Ukraine on Friday, September 5, at Wroclaw’s Stadium in Poland. Four days later, France will host Iceland at Paris’ Parc des Princes. **TF1** adds that Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki is expected to receive a call-up from Deschamps after a remarkable cameo against Spain in last June’s Nations League semi-final.
As for Ekitike, who hit the ground running with Liverpool with two goals in two games, the former Eintracht Frankfurt centre-forward is understood to be the “_better-placed_” candidate to receive his first senior France call-up. The Liverpool striker could benefit from Randal Kolo Muani’s situation. The PSG centre-forward – a regular occurrence in Deschamps’ squads – is yet to play a competitive game this season, given his return to Juventus remains in limbo.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval