Zinédine Zidane called up Saël Kumbedi to the France national team on Monday, November 9, 2026, to replace the injured Pierre Kalulu ahead of upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Italy and Turkey, Foot Mercato reported.
The call-up brought a sudden change of plans for Kumbedi, who left the French Under-21 squad to join Kylian Mbappé and his senior teammates. CNews reported that the 21-year-old right-back was initially selected by Gérald Baticle for the youth side’s friendlies against Italy and England.
Kalulu withdrew from the squad after sustaining a hamstring injury. France faces Italy in Milan on Thursday and plays Turkey in Bordeaux on Sunday.
The decision drew sharp criticism from former France international Jérôme Rothen during an appearance on RMC. Rothen questioned how a national team coach could select a player competing in the second tier of German football, noting that Wolfsburg plays outside the top flight.
It is not against Kumbedi, I congratulate him for being called up,
Rothen said, as reported by Foot Mercato. Going to fish in the Under-21s, me, I don’t believe in it.
Rothen argued that an international call-up represents the pinnacle of a player’s career and must be earned through top-level club performances in elite competitions like the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League.
Rothen also criticized the selection based on visibility and personal connections, questioning whether Zidane had actually watched German second-division matches.
The other trick, and this is terrible because it is the second time he has held this speech: ‘Ah yes, I knew him because he played with my son in the France youth team,’
Rothen said on RMC, as cited by Foot Mercato. So what? All those who played with Zidane’s son in youth teams, you have a chance guys!
Kumbedi, a native of Stains and a product of Le Havre’s academy, has earned nine caps for the French Under-21 team. He joined Wolfsburg on January 1, following an initial six-month loan from Lyon, where he made 62 appearances across all competitions under managers Peter Bosz and Laurent Blanc.
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