FULL LIST | Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta earns first senior France call-up | OneFootball

Didier Deschamps revealed his squad for France’s camp for the October international break on Thursday afternoon. Les Bleus will go and try to continue their perfect record in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Last month, France won their Group D opening games against Ukraine (2-0) and Iceland (2-1). Les Bleus will host Azerbaijan on Friday, October 10, and fly out to Reykjavík to face Iceland the following Monday.

Deschamps had several gaps to fill in his squad with Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Rayan Cherki, Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram all out with injuries. Given Deschamps could only rely on Kylian Mbappé and Hugo Ekitike as recognized centre-forwards, the France national team manager opted to give Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta his first-ever Les Bleus call-up.

Aurélien Tchouaméni has been logically snubbed, considering he was handed a two-game suspension by UEFA. The Real Madrid midfielder’s absence will benefit one of his teammates. Indeed, Eduardo Camavinga is back in the fold for the first time since the Nations League quarter-finals tie against Croatia.

Arsenal centre-back William Saliba, who just renewed his contract with the Gunners, has returned to the fold after missing out last time around with an ankle injury. The Saint-Etienne Academy graduate is back with France at the expense of Marseille’s Benjamin Pavard.

Didier Deschamps’ France squad for the October international break:

Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (PSG), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Rennes)

Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), L. Hernandez (PSG), T. Hernandez (Al-Hilal), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Manu Koné (Roma), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Adrien Rabiot (Milan), Khephren Thuram (Juventus).

Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Kingsley Coman (Al-Nassr), Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Christopher Nkunku (Milan).

GFFN | Bastien Cheval