FULL LIST | Didier Deschamps calls up Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche for France’s start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers | OneFootball

Didier Deschamps revealed his squad for France’s start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday afternoon. On the back of their qualification for the 2025 Nations League finals, Les Bleus have been drawn to Group D. France will face Ukraine on Friday, September 5, at Wroclaw’s Stadium in Poland. Four days later, France will host Iceland at Paris’ Parc des Princes.

Didier Deschamps has decided to give AS Monaco attacking midfielder Maghnes Akliouche his first-ever senior France call-up. However, Liverpool centre-forward Hugo Ekitike has missed out.

Several key defensive players for France have made their return to the fold. Arsenal centre-back William Saliba, Bayern Munich centre-back Dayot Upamecano and Barcelona right-back Jules Koundé are back after missing out on the Nations League finals.

Didier Deschamps’ France squad for the September international break:

Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (PSG), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Rennes)

Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), L. Hernandez (PSG), T. Hernandez (Al-Hilal), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)

Midfielders: Désiré Doué (PSG), Manu Koné (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (Marseille), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Khephren Thuram (Juventus).

Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).

GFFN | Bastien Cheval