France Squad Named: Mbappé Leads Zidane’s Selection

Kylian Mbappé returns to lead the France squad named by coach Zinedine Zidane on Friday for upcoming Nations League matches against Italy and Turkey. The national team captain missed the previous three fixtures of the international window due to a knee injury.

Mbappé scored the winning goal in Zidane’s managerial debut for Les Bleus away to Turkey on September 25 before sustaining the injury during that same fixture. Since that absence, the forward has returned to club action, netting eight goals in seven appearances across La Liga and the Champions League.

Marcus Thuram returns to fill attacking void

France enters this month’s double-header without Paris Saint-Germain duo Ousmane Dembélé and Maghnes Akliouche, alongside Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul. Inter Milan forward Marcus Thuram returns to the attacking setup to fill the void, joined by Paris FC attacking midfielder Pablo Pagis, who earns his first senior selection.

Pagis, 23, joins the national setup following strong performances this season after transferring to Paris FC—currently fourth in Ligue 1—from Lorient. The player is the son of former Marseille player Mickael Pagis. Zidane explained the selection to reporters, stating, “He is in the squad because we have a little problem with Akliouche, and so we needed to choose another player. Pablo was part of the long list and he is a player I want to see. He is interesting, different and it is good to be able to see what he is like.”

Defensive and midfield rotations

Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni returns to the squad in place of Manu Koné after sitting out the previous international window. In the defensive line, Manchester United’s Leny Yoro and Chelsea’s Malo Gusto replace Barcelona’s Jules Koundé and Chelsea’s Maxence Lacroix.

Arsenal defender William Saliba remains absent from the squad, having yet to feature for his club this season due to a back injury.

Group stage run-in against Italy and Turkey

France sits at the top of Nations League Group A1, accumulating 10 points from four matches and holding a three-point lead over second-place Italy. Zidane’s squad travels to Milan to face Italy on Thursday, November 12, before concluding group-stage fixtures against Turkey in Bordeaux three days later. The top two teams in the group advance to the quarter-finals scheduled for next March.

Zinedine Zidane directs squad selections for Les Bleus

Who manages the France national team squad announcements?

Zinedine Zidane directs the squad selections as coach of Les Bleus, having taken charge prior to the September fixtures.

How many points does France hold in the Nations League group?

France leads Group A1 with 10 points earned from four outings, placing them three points ahead of Italy.

Where will France play their final group fixture?

The team plays Turkey in Bordeaux on November 15, following an away fixture against Italy in Milan on November 12.

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