Zidane Names 23-Man France Squad for November International Matches
France national team manager Zinédine Zidane has revealed his second squad since taking charge of Les Bleus. For the upcoming November international break, the 1998 Ballon d’Or winner has selected 23 players to represent the country. France currently leads their A1 group in the UEFA Nations League, having won three matches and drawn one, putting them in a strong position to qualify for the quarter-finals.
The squad will face Italy in an away match at the iconic San Siro in Milan on Thursday, November 12, followed by a home match against Türkiye at Bordeaux’s Stade Atlantique three days later. Several prominent players will be absent due to injuries, including William Saliba, Maxence Lacroix, Manu Koné, Ousmane Dembélé, and Maghnes Akliouche.
In light of these injuries, Zidane has called up Paris FC midfielder Pablo Pagis, marking his first senior call-up to the national team. Additionally, the lack of available forwards, exacerbated by Estéban Lepaul’s injury, has opened the door for Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram to step in.
Ibrahima Konaté and Aurélien Tchouaméni from Real Madrid return to the squad after missing Zidane’s initial matches as head coach. Kylian Mbappé, who netted the first goal during this new era before sustaining an injury, is also back for selection. Previous debutants from the last call-up, including Guillaume Restes, Andy Diouf, Jérémy Jacquet, Leny Yoro, and Lucas Da Cunha, have also been recalled.
The full list of Zinédine Zidane’s France squad for the November international break is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (Milan), Guillaume Restes (Toulouse), Robin Risser (Lens),
Defenders: Andy Diouf (Inter Milan), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Jérémy Jacquet (Liverpool), Pierre Kalulu (Juventus), Ibrahima Konaté (Real Madrid), Adrien Truffert (Bournemouth), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Leny Yoro (Manchester United)
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Lucas Da Cunha (Como), Adrien Rabiot (Milan), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG)
Forwards: Bradley Barcola (Liverpool), Désiré Doué (PSG), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Pablo Pagis (Paris FC), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)
