Mbappé returns to France squad as Pablo Pagis earns first call-up for Nations League

Squad returns for the November break

Zinédine Zidane named his second France squad of his tenure on Friday, 6 November 2026, a list of 23 players for the Nations League matches against Italy and Turkey. Captain Kylian Mbappé returns after injury, joined by midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, defender Ibrahima Konaté and forward Marcus Thuram. Mbappé, the all-time top scorer of the France team with 67 goals in 107 caps, was touched on the knee on 25 September in the match in Turkey, which ended 1-0. Since returning to club football he has scored eight goals in seven matches for Real Madrid. Midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery, defender Malo Gusto and goalkeeper Robin Risser also return, after missing the first gathering of Zidane's reign because of physical problems.

Pablo Pagis earns his first call-up

Striker Pablo Pagis of Paris FC is the only uncapped player in the squad and receives his first call-up for the senior team. SAPO gives his age as 22 and Le Soir as 23. SAPO also reports that he scored 10 goals in 32 matches for Lorient last season, before Paris FC paid 15 million euros for his transfer, and that he has two shots on target in nine matches this season. Zidane said Pagis was picked partly because of a late absence, as Maghnes Akliouche, who is slightly injured, cannot travel with the group. Zidane described Pagis as a player from the extended list whom he wanted to watch, calling him interesting and different.

Players missing through injury

Ousmane Dembélé is still recovering from a hamstring injury and is not in the squad, according to Telegraaf. Le Soir lists William Saliba, Manu Koné, Jules Koundé and Maxence Lacroix among the senior players France must do without, along with the forwards Maghnes Akliouche and Estéban Lepaul. SAPO counts seven players who would normally have been called up as injured. Zidane was also asked about Paulo Fonseca's abrupt move from Lyon to Sporting, a departure SAPO says has drawn heavy criticism in France. Zidane said Lyon will find it very difficult to replace a coach of Fonseca's quality midway through the season.

Group A1 and the November fixtures

France top Group A1 on 10 points after four matches, with three wins and a draw. Italy have 7 points, Belgium 6 and Turkey none.

France10

Italy7

Belgium6

Turkey0

France

10 points

Italy

7 points

Belgium

6 points

Turkey

0 points

Data from the article text

A single point would be enough for France to qualify for the quarter-finals. France face Italy in Milan on Thursday, 12 November, and Turkey on Sunday, 15 November. La Libre and Le Soir name Bordeaux as the venue for the Turkey match, while Telegraaf describes it as a home fixture.

Key dates

The timeline starts with Mbappé's knee injury on 25 September and ends with the Turkey match on 15 November. The squad was announced on 6 November, and both Nations League games are still ahead.

Zidane's list keeps the core of his first squad while adding the new faces, with Pagis the only player making his senior debut.