By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 13:47 BST, 27 August 2025 | Updated: 13:47 BST, 27 August 2025
PARIS (AP) - Maghnes Akliouche received a first call-up by France for its upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland but there was no place in the squad for in-form Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old Akliouche is an attacking midfielder for Monaco who was a member of France's squad at the Olympic football tournament on home soil last year and has played in his country's youth teams.
He was one of seven forwards called up by Didier Deschamps as France gets ready to start its World Cup qualifying campaign.
The list didn't include the 23-year-old Ekitike, who has established himself as the starting striker at Liverpool and has scored in each of his first three games for the Premier League champions following an offseason move from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Star players Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele were selected, as expected, while center back William Saliba returns after missing the Nations League finals because of injury over the summer.
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Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring during the Premier League soccer match between Newcastle and Liverpool in Newcastle, England, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
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Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)