Zinedine Zidane has named his first squad as head coach of the France men’s football team. The list came out on Friday and holds 23 players. Five of them have never played for the senior side. Kylian Mbappe keeps the captain’s armband. The squad will play four Nations League games between 25 September and 5 October.
Zidane took the job in July on a deal that runs to the 2030 World Cup. He replaced Didier Deschamps, who led the team for 14 years. Zidane is the third member of the 1998 World Cup winning side to coach Les Bleus. His name still carries huge weight in French football. Fans have waited years for this moment.
The five new players all come from the strong Olympic group. Guillaume Restes of Toulouse is one of three goalkeepers. Andy Diouf of Inter Milan and Jeremy Jacquet of Liverpool add depth at the back. Lucas Da Cunha of Como comes into midfield. Esteban Lepaul joins the forward line.
Jacquet has made a bright start to life at Liverpool. Da Cunha has been a key part of the rise of Como. That club has climbed from the second tier to the Champions League in four years. Both men have earned their call through club form. Zidane said the choices were clear in his mind.
Some well known names have been left out. Aurelien Tchouameni and Marcus Thuram are not in the group. Nor are Lucas Digne, Lucas Hernandez, Maghnes Akliouche and Jean Philippe Mateta. The biggest talking point is the absence of Ngolo Kante. The veteran travelled to the World Cup but did not play a single minute.
Zidane was asked about that choice at the news conference. He said it was a decision and nothing more. He stressed that it had nothing to do with the player’s quality. He called Kante an extraordinary player for France. He thanked him for all he has done in a blue shirt.
The coach also explained the wider thinking. He said this was a first squad and a first camp. He noted that one or two players missed out through small knocks or a lack of game time. He said a lot of work had gone in since his start on 28 July. He wants to build a team that can grow.
The core of the group is familiar. Mbappe leads the line and wears the armband. Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Desire Doue all return. Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde and Pierre Kalulu anchor the defence. Mike Maignan remains the first choice in goal.
France open their Nations League run away to Turkey in Izmit on 25 September. They then travel to Belgium. In October they host Italy and Belgium. It is a hard group and every game will be tight. A strong start would settle nerves early.
Zidane has never coached a national side before. His club record is strong. He won the Champions League three times in a row with Real Madrid. He also won league titles and cups in Spain. Many fans expect him to bring the same calm to the France dugout.
The switch from Deschamps marks a clear break. Deschamps built a side known for balance and control. Zidane is expected to ask for more of the ball. Early camps will show how far he wants to go. Players will need time to learn his ideas.
The France squad is deep in every area. Young talent keeps coming through the club system. That is a good problem for any coach. It also means hard calls in every camp. Some strong players will always miss out.
There is a longer plan behind these games. The next World Cup is still some way off. Zidane has been given time and space to work. The Nations League gives him real matches against good sides. He can test ideas without risking a place at a major event.
Public reaction in France has been warm but cautious. Many supporters want to see the team play with more flair. Others worry about the loss of experience in midfield. The first real answer comes in Izmit next week. Until then, the debate will run in every cafe in the country.
