Mbappe leads France into World Cup qualifiers, no Ekitike
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 27.08.25. | 18:11
France boss Deschamps left out the new Liverpool striker from the squad for Les Blues' first qualifying clashes against Ukraine and Iceland, but their team is still as strong as it gets
Didier Deschamps has announced France's squad for the beginning of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and clashes against Ukraine (September 5) and Iceland (September 9). First and foremost - and most importantly for the French - Kylian Mbappe is there.
At the end of 2024, the Real Madrid superstar had a turbulent period at the national team, but now everything seems to be alright, as he's ready to lead Les Blues towards the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: France squad for the September games. pic.twitter.com/CmIJNqFohl
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) August 27, 2025
At first glance, the squad is as strong as it gets. There are five Paris Saint-Germain players: the custodian Lucas Chevalier, his namesake Hernandez, and the attacking trio, Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, and Desire Doue.
The new Man City forward Rayan Cherki was called up, as were four more Premier League players (Malo Gusto, Lucas Digne, William Saliba, Ibrahima Konate), though many were surprised to see that Deschamps omitted the new Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike, who scored three goals in as many games for the Reds this season.
Interestingly, despite the scandal at Olympique Marseille, Adrien Rabiot is in the squad, while the only debutant will be Monaco's forward and Tottenham's target, Maghnes Akliouche.
FRANCE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Lucas Chevalier (Paris Saint-Germain), Brice Samba (Rennes)
Defenders: Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (Paris Saint-Germain), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal)
Midfielders: Manu Kone (AS Roma), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Desire Doue (Paris Saint-Germain), Khephren Thuram (Juventus), Adrien Rabiot (Olympique Marseille)
Forwards: Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Rayan Cherki (Man City), Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco).
