Zinedine Zidane has announced his first France national team squad since becoming head coach of Les Bleus.
The former France international named a 23-player squad on September 18, 2026, for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches. The announcement marked the beginning of Zidane’s tenure after succeeding Didier Deschamps as France coach. (reuters.com)
The squad combines several established internationals with a number of new faces, including Liverpool defender Jérémy Jacquet.
Zidane Names 23 Players
Zidane selected 23 players for France’s September international fixtures.
According to Reuters, the squad includes experienced players such as Mike Maignan, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Dayot Upamecano, Adrien Rabiot, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Kylian Mbappé, alongside several players receiving their first senior call-up. (reuters.com)
The full group also includes players from clubs in France, England, Spain, Italy, and Germany.
Five Players Receive Their First Call-Up
One of the main features of Zidane’s first list is the inclusion of five uncapped players.
They are:
- Guillaume Restes
- Andy Diouf
- Jérémy Jacquet
- Lucas Da Cunha
- Estéban Lepaul
Reuters identified the five players as the new faces in Zidane’s first France squad. (reuters.com)
The call-ups give the players an opportunity to make their senior international debuts during the September Nations League matches.
Jérémy Jacquet Among the New Defenders
Liverpool centre-back Jérémy Jacquet is one of the most notable new additions.
His inclusion comes as Zidane begins to form his own France squad following the end of Deschamps’ long tenure.
Other defenders selected include Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, Adrien Truffert, and Dayot Upamecano. (reuters.com)
The squad therefore includes a combination of established international defenders and younger players entering the senior setup.
Kylian Mbappé Remains France Captain
Zidane also confirmed that Kylian Mbappé will remain captain of the French national team.
Mbappé has worn the captain’s armband since taking over the role from Hugo Lloris in 2023.
Speaking at his press conference, Zidane confirmed that Mbappé would continue in the role under his management. (afp.com)
The decision provides continuity in the leadership of the national team as France begins a new coaching era.
Mbappé’s Role in Zidane’s Team
Zidane also discussed Mbappé’s position on the pitch.
According to French football media, Zidane said that the Real Madrid forward could play in three attacking positions and indicated that he particularly likes him on the left side. (leparisien.fr)
This gives Zidane flexibility in how he organizes the France attack.
Mbappé remains one of the central figures in the national team after scoring 10 goals at the 2026 World Cup, according to the French Football Federation. (fff.fr)
Some Regular Players Are Absent
The first Zidane squad does not include every player who featured for France at the 2026 World Cup.
Aurélien Tchouaméni was absent because of fitness concerns, while other players were not selected for the September camp. Reuters also reported that Zidane left several familiar names out of the first list. (reuters.com)
French football media also reported that William Saliba was unavailable because of injury. (football.fr)
The absences mean that Zidane’s first squad is not identical to France’s World Cup group.
Eduardo Camavinga Returns
Eduardo Camavinga is included in Zidane’s first squad after being absent from the World Cup group.
His return gives Zidane another midfield option alongside players such as Adrien Rabiot, Manu Koné, Warren Zaïre-Emery, and Rayan Cherki.
The midfield group combines established internationals with players who have recently become important at club level.
Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise Included
France’s attacking options continue to feature major names.
Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola, and Désiré Doué are among the forwards selected alongside Mbappé and new call-up Estéban Lepaul. (reuters.com)
The French Football Federation’s World Cup statistics show that Olise finished the 2026 tournament with seven assists, while Dembélé scored six goals and Mbappé scored ten. (fff.fr)
France’s September Nations League Matches
Zidane’s first competitive matches as France coach will come in the UEFA Nations League.
According to the French Football Federation’s official ticketing and match schedule, France’s September fixtures include:
| Date | Match | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| September 25, 2026 | Türkiye vs France | UEFA Nations League |
| September 28, 2026 | Belgium vs France | UEFA Nations League |
| October 2, 2026 | France vs Italy | UEFA Nations League |
| October 5, 2026 | France vs Belgium | UEFA Nations League |
The FFF lists the September 25 match at the Kocaeli Stadium in İzmit and the September 28 match at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. (billetterie.fff.fr)
These matches will provide the first opportunity to see Zidane’s tactical approach in competitive international football.
A New Era After Didier Deschamps
Zidane replaces Didier Deschamps, who managed France for 14 years.
During Deschamps’ tenure, France won the 2018 World Cup and reached the 2022 World Cup final, while also competing in several European Championship and Nations League campaigns.
Zidane now begins a new cycle with the national team.
Reuters reported that Zidane’s contract runs through 2030, covering the next major international cycle. (reuters.com)
Zidane’s Coaching Background
Before taking charge of France, Zidane was best known internationally for his playing career and his time as head coach of Real Madrid.
As a player, Zidane was part of the France team that won the 1998 World Cup.
As Real Madrid coach, he won three consecutive Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018.
His appointment as France coach brings him back to the national team in a different role.
Focus on the Future
Zidane’s first selection includes several younger players while retaining many members of France’s established core.
The five uncapped players represent one of the clearest changes in the first squad.
At the same time, the selection of players such as Mbappé, Dembélé, Olise, Konaté, Koundé, and Rabiot maintains significant continuity with the group that represented France at the 2026 World Cup.
France After the 2026 World Cup
France finished fourth at the 2026 World Cup after losing the third-place playoff to England, according to the FFF’s tournament record. (fff.fr)
The next phase begins with the Nations League before France moves on to future European and World Cup qualification campaigns.
Zidane’s first squad therefore provides an early indication of the players he will work with during the next international cycle.
The First Squad at a Glance
| Position | Selected Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Mike Maignan, Robin Risser, Guillaume Restes |
| Defenders | Andy Diouf, Jérémy Jacquet, Ibrahima Konaté, Pierre Kalulu, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, Adrien Truffert, Dayot Upamecano |
| Midfielders | Eduardo Camavinga, Rayan Cherki, Lucas Da Cunha, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot, Warren Zaïre-Emery |
| Forwards | Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Estéban Lepaul, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise |
The list reflects the 23-player squad announced by Zidane on September 18, with subsequent availability changes possible before matches. (reuters.com)
What to Watch in Zidane’s First Matches
Several questions will attract attention during the first Nations League fixtures.
Fans will be watching:
- How Zidane organizes the attack
- Mbappé’s role and positioning
- How the new players are integrated
- The midfield structure
- Defensive organization
- How established players combine with the new call-ups
The answers will become clearer once France begins its competitive matches.
Conclusion
Zinedine Zidane has announced his first France squad, selecting 23 players for the September 2026 UEFA Nations League fixtures. (reuters.com)
The selection includes five uncapped players — Guillaume Restes, Andy Diouf, Jérémy Jacquet, Lucas Da Cunha, and Estéban Lepaul — alongside established internationals such as Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Ibrahima Konaté, and Jules Koundé.
Zidane has also confirmed Mbappé as France captain, while Eduardo Camavinga returns to the squad and Aurélien Tchouaméni is absent because of fitness concerns. (afp.com)
France’s first match under Zidane is scheduled for September 25 against Türkiye, followed by meetings with Belgium and Italy in the Nations League. (billetterie.fff.fr)
The September international window will therefore provide the first competitive look at France under its new head coach.