OFFICIAL: France's new head coach Zidane unveils his first team squad for Nations League matches

France national team manager Zinédine Zidane has unveiled his first squad as Les Bleus’ boss. The former Real Madrid head coach, who succeeded Didier Deschamps over the summer, has opted to name 23 players for the three-week long international break, in which France will play four games.

Zidane will get his France tenure underway in the 2026-2027 UEFA Nations League. Les Bleus have been drawn in Group A with Türkiye, Belgium and Italy. In a week from now, France will play against Vincenzo Montella’s Turkish side in Kocaeli. On Monday, September 28, Les Bleus will pay a visit to Mark van Bommel’s Belgium in Brussels before a couple of home games against Italy (October 2) and Belgium (October 5) at Saint-Denis’ Stade de France.

Unsurprisingly, Zidane will rely on a core group of established internationals that took part in France’s run to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, spearheaded by captain Kylian Mbappé, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé and Bayern Munich maverick Michael Olise. However, Zidane has dipped into France’s talent pool in naming five uncapped players, including Liverpool centre-back Jérémy Jacquet in the absence of Arsenal’s William Saliba.

Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes, Inter Milan full-back Andy Diouf, Como midfielder Lucas Da Cunha and Rennes’ Estéban Lepaul have also earned their first senior France call-up.

Zinédine Zidane's first France squad

Goalkeepers: Maignan, Restes, Risser

Defenders: A. Diouf, Jacquet, Kalulu, Konaté, Koundé, Lacroix, Truffert, Upamecano

Midfielders: Camavinga, Cherki, Da Cunha, Koné, Rabiot, Zaïre-Emery

Attackers: Barcola, Dembélé, Doué, Lepaul, Mbappé, Olise