The time turns and each truce brings the French team closer to the great meeting. Barely a month after their two victories obtained against Ukraine (0-2) and Iceland at the Parc des Princes (2-1), the Blues are already on stage. In view of the 2026 World Cup, they will face Azerbaijan on October 10 at the Parc des Princes, then Iceland there.
This Thursday, Didier Deschamps unveiled his list for these two meetings, and it contains some surprises, starting with the presence of Jean-Philippe Mateta. Frequently pre-selected from the Olympic Games, the Crystal Palace striker has been surfing on his good dynamic with 16 goals scored in the Premier League since last season. “”Mateta? It is his profile, he is not very young, but it is the first time he has been with us, explains Deschamps. He has experienced the youth teams, he has an ability to score goals, obviously it can be linked to Marcus' injury (Thuram) … But he has an interesting profile, he has been doing good things for a while, especially with the Olympic team, and he has been one of the pre-listeners for a while.»»
Akliouche recalled, just like Nkunku
This list also marks the return of Christopher Nkunku to the French team, almost a year after his last selection (in November 2024), but also that of Eduardo Camavonga, scorer against Real Madrid on Tuesday and just income from injury. “Christopher? He was not spared from injuries. He has a very interesting potential, I am convinced of his potential. He has a limited playing time for the moment because of his change of club, but I have confidence in him. This is also the case of Camavonga. For example, when Giroud was in Chelsea, it was very complicated, but that didn't prevent him from being very good with us. Taking the lead, being holder is his ambition. It is true that he has been there since September 2020, but each time, I called him, unless he was injured … “ Regarding Maghnes Akliouche, recalled after his first invitation last month, Deschamps recalled how much he counted on the Monegasque. “I'm not used to doing 'one shot', it has the potential to be there.”
He too was one of the contenders for a return to blue, but he will finally have to wait. Florian Thauvin was pre-selected, but the Lensois will have to confirm his good form of the moment to hope to find the French team: “He returned to France so you certainly see him a little more than when he was at Udinese where he did good things too, explains the tricolor coach. So much the better that it has a good start to the season. He is pre-selected, so he is one of those who may have to be part of this French team. Its latest selection dates back to 2019. It is always selectable and possibly selected. But by all that has happened since, and to have opened the door to younger players … It's up to him to do everything with his club and then after … I will have to choose.For the moment, DD is more embarrassed than the choice …
