Akliouche and Zakaria in focus as Monaco’s internationals chase World Cup places | OneFootball

Several Monaco players hit the final international window before the World Cup, each with two games to impress. According to Nice-Matin, the tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July in the United States.

Despite strong club form, Denis Zakaria is not a nailed-on starter for Switzerland. He has 61 caps in 10 years, with injuries interrupting progress. He should go, though his role is open, and a back three featuring him, well rehearsed at Monaco, could resurface under Murat Yakin.

Folarin Balogun has four goals in his past four Ligue 1 games and looks set to represent the hosts, possibly as a starter. With rivals outside Europe’s elite clubs, Mauricio Pochettino’s picks against Belgium on Saturday 28 March and Portugal on Tuesday 31 March will be telling.

For Senegal, Krépin Diatta, 27, and Lamine Camara, 22, return to face Peru on Saturday and Gambia on Tuesday under Pape Thiaw. It would be a surprise if they missed out, with Diatta now a leader and Camara vying to start against Habib Diarra. Senegal were stripped of their AFCON title in favour of Morocco and have appealed to CAS.

Maghnes Akliouche has a fourth straight Didier Deschamps call-up. It does not secure a World Cup place, but it shows he is a credible option. With Bradley Barcola out, he joins the US tour as France face Brazil on Thursday and Colombia on Tuesday 31 March.

Ivory Coast winger Simon Adingra, outstanding in the 2023 AFCON triumph, has been recalled by Emerse Faé. With renewed minutes and confidence at Monaco, he can strengthen his case against Korea on Saturday and Scotland on Tuesday 31 March.

Source: Nice-Matin