Almost a year after his previous tenure, during the pitiful 0-0 draw against Israel at the Stade de France, Eduardo Camavinga returned to Didier Deschamps' starting lineup for the Blues' match against Iceland, this Monday evening (kick-off 8:45 p.m., live on TF1) in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. His 28th international selection at the age of 22. The Team
gives the starting eleven of the French team a few hours before the game in Reykjavik.
“Cama” came into play in the 70th minute of the game against Azerbaijan (3-0), last Friday at the Parc des Princes, in place of Adrien Rabiot, and took advantage of the physical situation of the midfielder who moved from OM to AC Milan. The latter, slightly injured in a calf, did not train on the eve of this Iceland-France. The Real Madrid left-hander will form the midfield duo with Manu Koné (who replaces Kephren Thuram compared to the eleven three days ago).
The rest of the composition is unsurprising since “La Dèche” had its starters work during the match eve session (under the gaze of certain journalists). Jean-Philippe Mateta is thus launched up front in place of Hugo Ekitiké and, in the absence of Kylian Mbappé, Florian Thauvin should start at number 10, with Michael Olise on the right side and Christopher Nkunku on the left.
The Blues with new full-backs
In defense, to protect captain Mike Maignan, the essential William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano are brought back in the central hinge (Ibrahima Konaté is out and was replaced by Benjamin Pavard), while Jules Koundé and Lucas Digne succeed Malo Gusto and Théo Hernandez respectively on the sides.
The starting lineup: Maignan (cap.) – Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Digne – Koné, Camavinga – Olise, Thauvin, Nkunku – Mateta.
