Zinédine Zidane names first France squad with five debutants and confirms Kylian Mbappé as captain

First squad selection

New France head coach Zinédine Zidane announced his first 23-man squad on Friday, 18 September 2026, marking the start of a four-year contract running through the 2030 World Cup. The 54-year-old former Ballon d'Or winner took charge in late July, succeeding Didier Deschamps after a 14-year tenure that included winning the 2018 World Cup and reaching the 2022 final in Qatar. Zidane, who won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 as a player alongside Deschamps, becomes the third member of France's 1998 generation to manage the national team. His appointment follows his tenure at Real Madrid, where he won three consecutive Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018. Zidane stated during a press conference in Paris that he intends to build on Deschamps' framework while applying his own methods.

“I have my own ideas, which are perhaps a bit different.”

Five newcomers enter the senior roster

The 23-man squad features five uncapped players across several European leagues. Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul received his first call-up at age 26, two years after competing in the French third tier with Épinal in 2024. Lepaul earned his place after finishing the 2025–2026 campaign as the top scorer in Ligue 1 with 21 goals. Liverpool centre-back Jérémy Jacquet, 21, also earned selection following his summer transfer to the Premier League. Zidane noted that he had tracked Jacquet through youth levels, where the defender played alongside Zidane's son Elyaz. The list of debutants is completed by Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes, Como midfielder Lucas Da Cunha, and Inter Milan defender Andy Diouf.

“I really like his profile. He is a player I have followed for a long time because he played with my son Elyaz at youth level.”

Mbappé captaincy and squad changes

Zidane confirmed that Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé will continue as France captain. Mbappé finished as top scorer at the recent World Cup with 10 goals, leading the attack as a centre-forward after playing on the right wing in 2018 and the left wing in 2022. Zidane noted Mbappé's positional flexibility, pointing out an affinity for using him on the left flank. Alongside the new inclusions, the selection omitted several experienced regulars, including Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, forward Marcus Thuram, and midfielder N'Golo Kanté. Regulars retained in the group include Mike Maignan, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Koundé, Ibrahima Konaté, Eduardo Camavinga, and Adrien Rabiot.

“He is capable of playing in the three positions and I also really like him on the left.”

Nations League fixture schedule

France will begin their UEFA Nations League group stage with four matches across late September and early October. The campaign opens on 25 September 2026 with an away fixture against Turkey in Izmit, followed by an away match against Belgium in Brussels on 28 September. Les Bleus will then host Italy at the Stade de France on 2 October, the same opponent Zidane faced in the 2006 World Cup final in his last match as a player. The opening window concludes on 5 October with a home game against Belgium. The fixtures mark the start of France's competitive cycle ahead of Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup.