France team: N'Golo Kanté returns, Didier Deschamps explains his decision | OneFootball

N'Golo Kanté

The tireless N'Golo Kanté is back with the French national team after a few months' absence. Didier Deschamps explained his decision.

Almost a year after his last call-up, N'Golo Kanté made his comeback to the French squad this Thursday following Didier Deschamps' squad announcement. The Al Ittihad midfielder is indeed among the 24 players selected for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine (November 13) and Azerbaijan (November 16).

Deschamps justified his decision at a press conference. "I talk with him. He's performing at his best level in the matches I see him play, and he's playing every 3-4 days. He's always potentially selectable, and this proves it since he's been called up. He needs to keep it up, he has a status, experience. When I call him, it's to play a role, not just to be part of the squad. Given what awaits us in this match, which could be decisive, he's always on my mind, in my thinking. Together with the technical staff, we regularly monitor him. It's always a pleasure for him to wear this shirt," explained the Les Bleus manager.