Paris (France) (AFP) - Real Madrid's Spanish trio Kylian Mbappe, Aurelien Chouamini and Ibrahima Konate have returned to the French national football team after recovering from injury, along with Italian Inter Milan striker Marcos Thuram, according to a list announced by coach Zinedine Zidane on Friday to play two matches in the European Nations League competition, while striker Pablo Bagès received his first call-up.
Published on: 06/11/2026 - 19:13
France will face Italy in Milan and Turkey in Bordeaux on November 12 and 15 in Group A matches at the first level. “Blue” needs only one point in order to guarantee qualification to the quarter-finals, as they lead with 10 points from three wins and one draw, with a three-point difference ahead of Italy.
The first and second places in the group qualify for the quarter-finals scheduled for next March.
Real Madrid star and French national team captain Mbappe scored the winning goal in Zidane's first match as head of the Blues' coaching staff away from home against Turkey on September 25, but in the same match he suffered an ankle injury that kept him out of the remaining three matches during the last international break.
In the absence of France's all-time top scorer (107 international matches and 67 goals), the team achieved two wins over Belgium, in Brussels and then at home, and a draw between them with Italy.
Mbappe has since returned to the field with his club, scoring eight goals in seven matches in the Spanish League and the Champions League.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery, Chelsea defender Malo Gusteau, and Lens goalkeeper Robin Riset also returned to the squad after they missed the first gathering of Zidane's reign.
On the other hand, the coach will miss the services of a number of mainstays due to injury, including Ousmane Dembélé and Magnes Achilles (Paris Saint-Germain), William Saliba (Arsenal, England), Manu Kone (Roma, Italy), Jules Kounde (Barcelona, Spain), Maxence Lacroix (Chelsea, England) and Esteban Lupul (Rennes).
In light of the absence of Dembele and Lupul from this month's matches, Thuram returned to the attacking line, which will also witness the debut of Pablo Baggues.
Bagges (23 years old), who often occupies the position of attacking midfielder, has been rewarded for his distinguished performances this season since his move from Lorient to Paris FC, which is ranked fourth in the French League.
Pablo is the son of Michael Bagès, a former player for Marseille who previously represented the France national beach soccer team under the supervision of coach and former international striker Eric Cantona.
Here is the lineup:
- Goalkeepers: Mike Magnane (AC Milan), Robin Riset (Lens), Guillaume Restis (Toulouse).
Defenders: Andy Diouf (Inter Milan, Italy), Malo Gusto (Chelsea, England), Jeremy Jacquet (Liverpool, England), Ibrahima Konate (Real Madrid, Spain), Pierre Kalulu (Juventus, Italy), Adrien Trover (Bournemouth, England), Dao Upamecano (Bayern Munich, Germany), Lenny Euro (Manchester United, England).
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City, England), Lucas da Cunha (Como, Italy), Adrien Rabiot (Milan), Aurélien Chouamini (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain).
Forwards: Bradley Barkola (Liverpool), Desiree Doue (Paris Saint-Germain), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Pablo Bagès (Paris FC), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).
© 2026 AFP
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