Ligue des Nations as a Testing Ground
Stepping into the role after the conclusion of the previous tournament cycle, Zidane confirmed his intention to breathe new life into the squad. Rather than standing pat, the former Real Madrid manager is utilizing the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures—acting as an intermediate stage ahead of Euro 2028 qualifiers next year—to evaluate lesser-known profiles. Across the selection, eight players enter the setup compared to the 26-man World Cup roster, including five absolute novices, ahead of matches against Turkey and Belgium on September 25 and 28, followed by home fixtures against Italy and Belgium on October 2 and 5 at the Stade de France.
An Offensive Core Intact and Tactical Shifts
The attacking unit remains largely insulated around established figures, retaining the core trio of Kylian Mbappé, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise. While Marcus Thuram, Maghnes Akliouche, and Jean-Philippe Mateta were left out of the initial selection, Rennes forward Esteban Lepaul earned his first senior call-up at age 26 after finishing as Ligue 1’s top scorer last season. Addressing his squad in a packed press conference, Zidane noted that Lepaul offers a different profile in tight spaces and expressed a desire to evaluate his goalscoring form firsthand.
Zidane confirmed that Mbappé will retain the team captaincy, though the manager opened the door to tactical adjustments regarding the superstar forward’s positioning on the pitch. Dismissing a return to the four-attacker formation utilized during the previous World Cup, Zidane remarked that Mbappé can operate across multiple attacking roles while highlighting a preference for the left flank. He also praised Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki as a natural playmaker capable of operating between the lines.
Defensive Overhaul and Midfield Transition
The most substantial changes arrive in the defensive line. With William Saliba sidelined due to a back injury, and established names such as Théo Hernandez, Lucas Hernandez, Lucas Digne, and Malo Gusto missing out, Zidane turned toward fresh defensive options. Liverpool newcomer Jérémy Jacquet (21), signed from Rennes for €70 million, joins Andy Diouf, Adrien Truffert, and Pierre Kalulu in the defensive pool.
In midfield, the international career of 35-year-old N’Golo Kanté—a central figure in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph—appears to have concluded under the new technical staff. Zidane explained that his selection choices reflect a long-term plan for the squad rather than any lack of quality from the veteran midfielder. With Aurélien Tchouameni unavailable while recovering from injury, rookie Lucas Da Cunha of Serie A club Como earned a call-up. In goal, Guillaume Restes of Toulouse steps into the squad following the omission of Brice Samba.
Political Inquiries Met With Neutrality
While definitive in his sporting choices, Zidane declined to engage with external political discussions surrounding the national team. Addressing media inquiries regarding recent public scrutiny involving team captain Kylian Mbappé in Spain and France, the coach stated that he preferred not to share his personal convictions as attention turns toward the political landscape ahead of 2027.
