Zinedine Zidane Names First France Squad With Five New Faces
Bornheimer – Zinedine Zidane has officially announced his first France squad after taking charge of Les Bleus in July. His arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter for the national team. Interestingly, Zidane immediately introduced five new faces to the senior squad. At the same time, he handed the captaincy to Kylian Mbappe. Therefore, the first selection offers an early glimpse of how Zidane wants to shape his team. France enters this new period after reaching the semifinals of the latest World Cup. Previously, Les Bleus won the 2018 World Cup and finished as runners-up in 2022. Now, Zidane faces the task of preparing the team for Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup.
Five Players Receive Their First France Call-Up
The Zinedine Zidane France squad features five players receiving their first senior international call-up. Guillaume Restes, Andy Diouf, Jeremy Jacquet, Lucas Da Cunha, and Esteban Lepaul are the newcomers. Restes provides another option in goal, while Diouf and Jacquet strengthen the defensive group. Meanwhile, Da Cunha offers an additional midfield option. Lepaul joins the attacking department as another forward choice. Consequently, Zidane has used his first squad announcement to introduce several younger or less-established names. This approach also creates additional competition within the team. For the players involved, the call-up represents an important opportunity to establish themselves during the opening stage of Zidane’s tenure.
Mbappe Takes Over as France Captain
Alongside the new arrivals, Kylian Mbappe has been appointed France captain. The Real Madrid forward remains one of the central figures in the national team. His new role adds another responsibility as Zidane begins building his squad. Meanwhile, several familiar names remain involved with Les Bleus. Ousmane Dembele, Rayan Cherki, Eduardo Camavinga, and Warren Zaire-Emery are among the players selected. Therefore, Zidane has combined established internationals with new additions. This balance can provide continuity while also giving emerging players an opportunity to compete at the highest level. The decision to make Mbappe captain also gives the new France era a recognizable leader on the pitch.
Some Established Players Miss the Selection
Not every familiar France international has been included in Zidane’s first squad. Aurelien Tchouameni and Marcus Thuram are among the notable absences from the latest selection. Their omission creates additional discussion around the depth and competition within the national team. However, the squad contains several players with extensive international experience. Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde, Adrien Rabiot, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise are among the established names included. As a result, Zidane still has a strong core of experienced players around which he can develop his new team. At the same time, the inclusion of five newcomers shows that opportunities are available to players seeking to break into the senior setup.
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Zidane Brings a Strong Coaching Background
Zidane returns to international management with an impressive club coaching record. His previous spell at Real Madrid included three consecutive Champions League titles. That experience now becomes part of the foundation for his work with France. Furthermore, Zidane already knows the national team environment from his playing career. He was part of the France side that won the 1998 World Cup. Therefore, his connection with Les Bleus extends across different stages of his football career. His appointment also makes him the third member of France’s 1998 World Cup-winning squad to later coach the national team. Now, his challenge is to translate that experience into a new generation of international success.
France Prepare for a Busy Nations League Schedule
Zidane’s first matches with France will arrive quickly. The team is scheduled to face Türkiye in Izmit on September 26. After that, Les Bleus will travel to face Belgium before meeting Italy and Belgium again in October. Consequently, Zidane will have limited time to experiment with his new squad. International football provides fewer training sessions than club football, so every gathering becomes valuable. The Nations League matches should also provide an early indication of how Zidane wants his team to play. Moreover, the presence of new players means these fixtures can serve as an important test of the squad’s depth.
France Combine Experience With New Energy
The latest squad shows a clear mixture of established names and fresh additions. Players such as Eduardo Camavinga, Rayan Cherki, Warren Zaire-Emery, and Bradley Barcola remain part of a group that includes considerable youth. Meanwhile, experienced figures such as Rabiot and Konate provide familiarity at international level. This combination gives Zidane several options as he develops his preferred structure. In addition, bringing in five new players can increase competition for places. For a national team preparing for major tournaments, maintaining that competition can become an important part of squad development. As the season progresses, performances with both club and country will influence future selections.
Full France Squad Under Zinedine Zidane
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Guillaume Restes, Robin Risser.
Defenders: Andy Diouf, Jeremy Jacquet, Pierre Kalulu, Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde, Maxence Lacroix, Adrien Truffert, Dayot Upamecano.
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga, Rayan Cherki, Lucas Da Cunha, Manu Kone, Adrien Rabiot, Warren Zaire-Emery.
Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Esteban Lepaul, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise.
Overall, Zidane’s first France squad combines familiar international figures with five players receiving their maiden senior call-ups. Meanwhile, Mbappe begins his captaincy during an important transition period. The upcoming Nations League fixtures will give Zidane his first opportunity to work with the group in competitive matches. Therefore, the opening phase of his tenure will be closely watched as France begins preparing for its longer-term objectives.
