Zinedine Zidane's First France Squad: What to Expect for the UEFA Nations League

Zinédine Zidane prepares to unveil his first squad selection as manager of the France national football team this Friday, September 18, setting into motion a two-week training camp at the Centre National du Football in Clairefontaine ahead of upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures, according to regional reporting from Sud-Ouest.

The appointment of the 1998 World Cup winner marks a new chapter for Les Bleus following the departure of Didier Deschamps. Zidane inherits an established core that reached the latter stages of recent major tournaments, yet faces immediate pressure as he prepares his squad for a high-stakes opening fixture against Turkey in Kocaeli. During his official presentation on July 28, Zidane outlined his philosophy by stating, as reported by Sud-Ouest, that he is driven by the game as a former number 10 whose focus is attacking and scoring goals, adding that he intends to do things differently while maintaining a winning continuity for the national team.

The Clairefontaine Camp and Squad Configuration

The upcoming two-week gathering at Clairefontaine in the Yvelines department provides Zidane with an extended window to implement his tactical vision before competitive action resumes. According to Sud-Ouest, a source close to the team indicates that the lengthy preparation period could prompt the new manager to name an expanded squad. This setup allows the coaching staff to refresh and regenerate the player pool, utilizing the Nations League fixtures to evaluate emerging talent before the team pivots toward qualification fixtures for the 2028 European Championship.

Media reports cited by Sud-Ouest suggest that several players have already received preliminary call-ups. The list of potential newcomers includes Rennes forward Esteban Lepaul, who finished as Ligue 1’s top goalscorer last season, Paris FC attacker Pablo Pagis, and 18-year-old central defender Jérémy Jacquet, who recently moved to Liverpool from Rennes in a deal valued at 70 million euros. Midfielders Lucas Da Cunha, currently with Como, and Sunderland’s Enzo Le Fée have also drawn preliminary interest.

Evaluating the 2018 World Cup Generation

As Zidane prepares his debut selection, attention turns to how he will manage the older contingent of players who carried heavy minutes under the previous administration. Sud-Ouest notes that scrutiny surrounds several members of the 2018 World Cup-winning squad, including 30-year-old defender Lucas Hernandez and 35-year-old midfielder N’Golo Kanté. Additional roster questions focus on left-backs Lucas Digne, 33, and Théo Hernandez, 28, both of whom faced difficult performances at the recent World Cup, alongside 32-year-old backup goalkeeper Brice Samba.

Reporters at his second official press conference at the headquarters of the French Football Federation are expected to question the new manager regarding recent media exchanges between captain Kylian Mbappé and forward Ousmane Dembélé concerning the Ballon d’Or.