France squad for World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine & Iceland; Hugo Ekitike misses out

Kylian Mbappe received a call-up to the national team for the September international break games.

The France team selected by Didier Deschamps will play Iceland and Ukraine in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers next month.

Hugo Ekitiké has not been included despite having a great debut period with his new team, Liverpool. The uncapped Ekitiké, who has notched three goals in his first three professional appearances under Arne Slot at Liverpool this season, has not been considered for Deschamps’ roster.

Meanwhile, AS Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche has received his first senior call-up. With five goals and ten assists in Ligue 1 the previous season, 23-year-old Monaco attacker Akliouche has gotten his first-ever call-up.

Among the well-known players on Les Blues’ roster are Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, and Ousmane Dembélé. The most recent France squad also has one representative from each of Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, and AS Roma.

France will play Ukraine in Poland on Friday, September 5, to begin their World Cup qualifying campaign in Group D and later play Iceland on 9th.

Les Bleus possess a rich attacking squad that will be looking to achieve their objective and secure a place in the main competition without any problem, given their group doesn’t have any top national teams. In a small group of four that also includes Azerbaijan, these should be doable games for France in their World Cup qualifying campaign.

France announce squad for the September international break

Goalkeepers: Chevalier (PSG), Maignan (Milan), Samba (Rennes)

Defenders: Digne (Aston Villa), Gusto (Chelsea), L.Hernandez (PSG), T.Hernandez (Al-Hilal), Konate (Liverpool), Kounde (Barcelona), Saliba (Arsenal), Upamecano (Bayern Munich).

Midfielders: Doue (PSG), Kone (Roma), Rabiot (Marseille), Tchouameni (Real Madrid), K.Thuram (Juventus).

Forwards: Akliouche (Monaco), Barcola (PSG), Cherki (Manchester City), Dembele (PSG), Mbappe (Real Madrid), Olise (Bayern Munich), M.Thuram (Inter).

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.