Zidane names youthful first France squad as Mbappe remains captain
Zinedine Zidane has begun his France reign with a 23-man squad built around emerging talent, retaining Kylian Mbappe as captain while leaving experienced World Cup winners N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema out of his first selection.
A first squad shaped by renewal
Unveiled at the French Football Federation headquarters in Paris, Zidane’s inaugural group marks the end of Didier Deschamps’ 12-year spell in charge and introduces five players to the senior international set-up for the first time.
Liverpool centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, Inter Milan midfielder Andy Diouf, Como’s Lucas Da Cunha, goalkeeper Guillaume Restes and forward Esteban Lepaul have all received maiden France call-ups. They are due at the national training centre in Clairefontaine on Monday.
Zidane opted for a relatively lean 23-player selection, with the intention of keeping each member of the squad involved during a compressed international programme. France will play four matches across 10 days, providing the new coach with an early opportunity to assess his ideas under match conditions.
Zidane prioritises profiles suited to his game
The former France midfielder made clear that the selection was not simply a change of personnel, but part of an effort to establish a more proactive and attractive style. He said the new faces had earned their places and that he wanted to watch both the individuals and the team develop on the pitch.
Jacquet’s inclusion carries a personal connection for the new head coach. Zidane has tracked the defender for a long period after Jacquet played alongside one of his sons in youth football, and said he was particularly drawn to the Liverpool player’s qualities.
Diouf and Da Cunha were also singled out as players Zidane wants to examine closely. The coach pointed to the usefulness of flexible options in midfield and in the wide defensive roles, with Adrien Truffert recalled alongside Diouf to provide further cover and adaptability on the flanks.
- France’s new era begins with the squad reporting to Clairefontaine on Monday.
- Les Bleus travel to Izmir to face Turkey on Friday, September 25.
- Zidane’s side then meet Belgium in Brussels on September 28.
- Home fixtures against Italy on October 2 and Belgium on October 5 conclude the window in Saint-Denis.
Veteran omissions underline the direction of travel
Kante, now 35, and Benzema have not been included as Zidane turns towards a younger core. Zidane stressed his admiration for both players, but said he needed to assess younger options and establish what the new group could build together.
The decision leaves Mbappe as the central established figure in the squad. His continued captaincy gives Zidane a familiar leadership point while the coach introduces players with limited or no previous senior international experience.
Key takeaways
- Zidane has selected 23 players for his first France camp after replacing Deschamps.
- Jacquet, Diouf, Da Cunha, Restes and Lepaul are the five uncapped additions.
- Mbappe remains France captain despite the wider generational reshaping.
- Kante and Benzema miss out as Zidane favours younger players for his tactical project.
- Four fixtures in 10 days will give the new coach an immediate test of his plans.
