PARIS : New France coach Zinedine Zidane confirmed Kylian Mbappe as captain on Friday as he named his first squad since replacing Didier Deschamps.
Mbappe led France at the recent World Cup in North America, where he finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with 10 goals before France were eliminated by eventual champions Spain in the semi-finals.
The Real Madrid forward played as a centre-forward during the tournament but has also been deployed on the left wing, while France primarily used him on the right when they won the 2018 World Cup.
“He is capable of playing in the three positions and I also really like him on the left,” Zidane told reporters in Paris.
The World Cup marked the end of Deschamps’ 14-year tenure as France coach, during which he led the team to the 2018 World Cup title.
Zidane, who played alongside Deschamps in France’s 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000-winning teams, was appointed at the end of July on a four-year contract.
His first matches in charge will come in the UEFA Nations League, with France travelling to Turkey next Friday before facing Belgium in Brussels on Sept. 28.
Zidane’s first home game will be against Italy at the Stade de France on Oct. 2, followed by another home match against Belgium three days later.
The 54-year-old former Ballon d’Or winner, who retired from playing in 2006 after being sent off for headbutting Italy defender Marco Materazzi in the World Cup final, has included several new faces in his first squad.
Jacquet gets call-up
Liverpool centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, 21, was rewarded with his first call-up after moving to the Premier League club during the close season.
“I really like his profile. He is a player I have followed for a long time because he played with my son Elyaz at youth level,” Zidane said.
Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul, last season’s top scorer in Ligue 1, also received his first call-up, while midfielder Lucas Da Cunha of Serie A side Como was included.
Inter Milan midfielder or wing-back Andy Diouf and Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes also earned places in the squad.
Among the notable absentees are Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and Inter Milan forward Marcus Thuram, who both featured at the World Cup, while Arsenal defender William Saliba misses out through injury.
“I have left out one or two players, whether because of a lack of game time or because of injuries, but a lot of thinking and a lot of work has gone into this since I was appointed on July 28,” Zidane said.
The Nations League will occupy France in the coming months before the draw for Euro 2028 qualifying takes place in early December.
European Championship qualifying is scheduled to begin early next year, with the 2028 finals to be co-hosted by England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
France squad
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan/ITA), Robin Risser (Lens), Guillaume Restes (Toulouse).
Defenders: Andy Diouf (Inter Milan/ITA), Jeremy Jacquet (Liverpool/ENG), Ibrahima Konate (Real Madrid/ESP), Pierre Kalulu (Juventus/ITA), Jules Kounde (Barcelona/ESP), Maxence Lacroix (Chelsea/ENG), Adrien Truffert (Bournemouth/ENG), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich/GER).
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid/ESP), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City/ENG), Lucas Da Cunha (Como/ITA), Manu Kone (Roma/ITA), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan/ITA), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain).
Forwards: Bradley Barcola (Liverpool/ENG), Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue (both Paris Saint-Germain), Esteban Lepaul (Rennes), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid/ESP), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/GER).
