Zinedine Zidane Names First France Squad And Confirms Kylian Mbappe As Captain
Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe will retain the captaincy of the France national team under newly appointed head coach Zinedine Zidane, who confirmed the designation on Friday during his inaugural squad announcement in Paris. Zidane steps into the role succeeding Didier Deschamps, whose 14-year coaching tenure concluded following the team’s semi-final run at the World Cup, where France fell to eventual champions Spain.
The Transition from Deschamps to Zidane
The former Ballon d’Or winner inherits a squad entering the UEFA Nations League cycle, with upcoming fixtures scheduled against Turkey, Belgium, and Italy.
Addressing the media in the French capital, Zidane noted Mbappe’s positional versatility across the attacking third. During the World Cup, Mbappe served as a central forward while scoring 10 goals to finish as the tournament’s top scorer, though he has also featured extensively on the left wing. “He is capable of playing in the three positions and I also really like him on the left,” Zidane told reporters.
Roster Turnover and Uncapped Additions
Zidane’s initial 25-man squad introduces several new faces alongside established core players. Centre-back Jeremy Jacquet earns a selection at age 21 following his close-season transfer to the Premier League with Liverpool. Zidane noted a personal connection to the defender’s development, stating, “I really like his profile. He is a player I have followed for a long time because he played with my son Elyaz at youth level.”
Additional uncapped or returning names feature prominently in the new setup. Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul enters the squad after finishing as Ligue 1’s top scorer last season. Midfielder Lucas Da Cunha joins from Serie A side Como, alongside Inter Milan midfielder or wing-back Andy Diouf and Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes. Concurrently, high-profile omissions include Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, Inter forward Marcus Thuram, and injured Arsenal defender William Saliba. “I have left out one or two players, whether because of a lack of game time or because of injuries, but a lot of thinking and a lot of work has gone into this since I was appointed on July 28,” Zidane explained.
Full Squad Breakdown
- Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (Lens), Guillaume Restes (Toulouse)
- Defenders: Andy Diouf (Inter Milan), Jeremy Jacquet (Liverpool), Ibrahima Konate (Real Madrid), Pierre Kalulu (Juventus), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Maxence Lacroix (Chelsea), Adrien Truffert (Bournemouth), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
- Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Lucas Da Cunha (Como), Manu Kone (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Forwards: Bradley Barcola (Liverpool), Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain), Desire Doue (Paris Saint-Germain), Esteban Lepaul (Rennes), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
Wider Economic and Organizational Impacts
Zidane’s side will focus on the UEFA Nations League—a competition France previously won in 2021—before turning attention toward the qualification draw for Euro 2028 in early December.
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