Zidane’s First France Squad: Heavyweights and New Blood
Zinedine Zidane has delivered his first real statement as France head coach. The new boss, who took over from Didier Deschamps in the summer, named his inaugural 23-man squad today for the upcoming international break and the start of the 2026-2027 Nations League campaign.
It is not a revolution. But it is clearly a new era.
At the heart of the group, Zidane has kept a strong World Cup spine. Fifteen players from the most recent tournament are retained, ensuring continuity as France prepare for life under a new voice on the touchline. The armband remains with Kylian Mbappe, the face of the team and the obvious reference point for this project.
Around him, there is no shortage of star power. Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele is in, as is Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise, who continues his rapid rise on the European stage. This core will be asked to carry France through a demanding Nations League Group A, where they have been drawn against Türkiye, Belgium, and Italy. It is a group with scars and history, and Zidane clearly wants leaders who have already walked through the fire.
But the squad list is not just about familiar names. Zidane has cracked open the door to the next generation.
Five uncapped players have been handed their first senior call-ups, a bold injection of youth that signals a clear shift towards the Euro 2028 cycle. In defence, Liverpool’s Jeremy Jacquet is the headline newcomer. He steps in with William Saliba absent, and his inclusion underlines the trust Zidane is ready to place in emerging Premier League talent.
Jacquet is not alone. Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes gets his first taste of the senior setup, while Inter Milan full-back Andy Diouf also earns a place. Both bring energy and modern profiles to positions where France have depth, but also decisions to make for the long term.
The refresh continues in midfield and attack. Como playmaker Lucas Da Cunha has been rewarded with a spot after catching the eye in Serie A, offering Zidane a different creative option between the lines. Up front, Rennes forward Esteban Lepaul – last season’s top scorer in Ligue 1 – finally breaks into the national team picture. His call-up feels like a logical step, but also a statement: domestic form will be noticed, and rewarded.
These choices come at a cost for some of the old guard.
Several pillars of the Deschamps era have been left out of Zidane’s first squad. N'Golo Kante, Lucas Hernandez, and Lucas Digne are all omitted. No farewell tour, no gentle phase-out. Their absence points towards a coach already willing to redraw the tactical map rather than simply tweak the edges.
The defence, in particular, takes on a different shape. With Arsenal centre-back Saliba missing, Zidane has been forced into a significant rethink at the back. France have no shortage of options, but leaving out such seasoned figures underlines a key message: reputation alone will not guarantee a place. Zidane appears ready to live – and possibly suffer – with his own choices rather than lean on the comfort of the past.
All of this will be tested very quickly.
France open the Zidane era next Friday in Kocaeli against Türkiye, a fixture that promises noise, intensity, and little patience for teething problems. From there, the squad heads to Brussels to face Belgium on September 28, a meeting with one of Europe’s most technically gifted sides.
Then comes the home stretch. Italy visit the Stade de France on October 2, a clash steeped in history and scrutiny, before Belgium return to Paris on October 5 for a second showdown that could already shape the complexion of the group.
By the end of that run, the picture will be clearer. Zidane has put his name on this squad. The question now is whether this blend of established stars and fearless newcomers can turn that signature into a new French standard.
