It’s the last of the year 2025. Barely a month after challenging Azerbaijan (3-0) and Iceland (2-2), the Blues are already back on stage. With a view to the 2026 World Cup, they will face Ukraine this month, at the Parc des Princes (November 13), then Azberbaijan, this time in Baku (November 16). A victory in the first match would allow them to officially validate their ticket to the World Cup.
Didier Deschamps revealed his list this Thursday with a view to the two matches, and the coach had a few surprises in store for us, starting with the return of N’Golo Kanté. “I talk a little with NG, he is at his best level, he plays every 3 or 4 days, and he has the Asian Champions League. He is at his best level, he must maintain himself. NG has a status, an experience, when I call him, it’s not to be part, it’s to have a role. With the staff, we follow him regularly, and it’s always a pleasure for him to come to the French team”explained the coach.
9 offensive profiles called, still no Tolisso
Absent from the last three gatherings after a turbulent summer and physical problems, Randal Kolo Muani is also called up. His return seemed obvious to Deschamps “He had not resumed, he was injured (during the last rallies). He has been part of this France group for a long time, because of what he has done. He can play in different positions, he knows this group well. From the moment he becomes operational again, it seems logical to me that he comes back with us”explained DD. His return did not close the door to Mateta, the ninth offensive profile on this list (with Olise, Akliouche, Barcola, Cherki, Ekitike, Kolo Muani, Mbappé and Nkunku).
“There is a large reservoir and that leaves room to show things in relation to the decisions that I will have to make later. From the moment he (Mateta) has done interesting things behind with his club… he has a slightly different profile which offers us interesting opportunities”justified DD about the Crystal Palace striker, scorer with the Blues against Iceland last month, and author of 4 club goals since, including a hat-trick against Bournemouth.
A month after returning to the Hopes box, Warren Zaire-Emery also makes his return. For Didier Deschamps, his performances with PSG, consistent for several weeks, speak for him. “He’s a player who was part of a lot of rallies, even if he didn’t always have a lot of playing time, but it did him good (to return to the Espoirs). He plays a lot more in clubs, he has found a good level, and I remind him of what he has been doing since last month. He has a fairly substantial A-level experience.” Corentin Tolisso too, but the future of the 2018 world champion in Blues looks more uncertain. “I have choices to make, he is still part of the thinking, he has a role that has evolved, more offensive, where he performs well with his club. He also has an experience, like some, and he remains in reflection for now and the future”confided DD. Another 2018 world champion is missing from this list: Florian Thauvin. If he scored last month against Azerbaijan (3-0), the Lensois knows that his status remains built on sand in the selection. Even more so with ghosts.
