Adrien Rabiot set for France call-up despite Marseille ban as Hugo Ekitike could benefit from Randal Kolo Muani’s woes | OneFootball

France national team manager Didier Deschamps will announce on Wednesday his squad list for Les Bleus‘ upcoming 2026 World Cup Group D qualifiers. France will face Ukraine on Friday, September 5, at Wroclaw’s Stadium in Poland. Four days later, France will host Iceland at Paris’ Parc des Princes. RMC Sport understands that Deschamps will announce a trimmed-down squad of 23 players.

The report adds that Deschamps considers that the “oxygénation” period, which saw Deschamps expand the squad with new players and test new tactics, is well and truly over. Given that France are in a group with four teams – with Ukraine, Iceland and Azerbaijan – the room for error is small. Les Bleus need results. The good news is that Deschamps can rely on a fully-fit squad as stalwarts Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba and Jules Koundé will make their return after missing out on the Nations League finals through injury.

Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté, Chelsea’s Malo Gusto and Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne are also expected to get the call, which means Deschamps is expected to choose between one of the Hernandez brothers for the second left-back berth. RMC Sport understands that Deschamps will pick five midfielders: Warren Zaïre-Emery, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Mattéo Guendouzi, Manu Koné and Adrien Rabiot. The Marseille midfielder has been transfer-listed by Les Phocéens, but he continues to train, and he retains Deschamps’ backing.

Once again, Deschamps could have some headaches given the many attacking options at his disposal. Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram and Désiré Doué are set to get the nod. Manchester City attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki is expected to return to the France fold after an impressive cameo off the bench against Spain in the Nations League semi-final.

As for Hugo Ekitiké, who has hit the ground running with three goals in as many games with Liverpool, the centre-forward keeps on “scoring points” in the eyes of France’s staff. The former Eintracht Frankfurt striker could be a recourse given Randal Kolo Muani’s situation. The striker trains away from PSG’s first-team squad as his move to Juventus remains in limbo.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval