Five possible surprise picks in Deschamps' France squad 🇫🇷 👀 | OneFootball

The Return of a Legend for Les Bleus?

The French team will play its first two qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup, against Ukraine on September 5 in Wroclaw, Poland, and then against Iceland on September 9 at the Parc des Princes.

This Wednesday, at 2 PM, Didier Deschamps will reveal the list of players called up for these two events. OneFootball presents the five possible surprises of this first selection of the 2025-26 season!

Hugo Ekitike - Liverpool

Would it really be a surprise? Transferred to Liverpool this summer for 95 million euros, Hugo Ekitike has stepped up his game.

And with three goals in three matches wearing the Reds' jersey, the former Stade de Reims striker is already making a strong impression. Enough for Didier Deschamps? We'll find out in a few minutes...

Maghnes Akliouche - AS Monaco

The name Maghnes Akliouche has been mentioned most frequently in recent months, just hours before Didier Deschamps announces a selection.

Still an undisputed starter at AS Monaco, the 23-year-old playmaker couldn't earn points this summer due to his absence from the Euro Under-21, but his points tally is already well advanced!

While Rayan Cherki's first call-up was a great success last June, will the coach dare to make a similar move with the ASM prodigy?

Corentin Tolisso - Olympique Lyonnais

The captain of Olympique Lyonnais seems to be riding the wave of his excellent 2024-25 season at the start of this season!

A 2024-25 season that unfortunately did not lead to a return to the French team for last June's gathering... even though many observers expected it!

Almost four years exactly after his last call-up with Les Bleus, the 2018 World Cup champion is quite the surprise... yet not so surprising!

📸 OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE - AFP or licensors

Mohamed Simakan - Al-Nassr

The big surprise! Having moved to Al-Nassr last summer, Mohamed Simakan continues to shine.

The 25-year-old central defender was once again dazzling in his team's two matches in the Saudi Super Cup recently.

Once considered close to Les Bleus when he played at Leipzig, the former Strasbourg player remains a defensive option for Didier Deschamps to explore...

📸 Yasser Bakhsh - 2025 Getty Images

Olivier Giroud - LOSC

Yes, here he is, the top scorer for the French team!

With two goals in two matches with Lille for his return to Ligue 1, Olivier Giroud has already charmed the French championship.

So, a spectacular and surprising return of the striker with Les Bleus, do you believe it?

📸 FRANCOIS LO PRESTI - AFP or licensors

Also Read:

- French Team: The Major Trends of Didier Deschamps' List

- The 10 Youngest Scorers in PL History

- Unusual - A Match 🏴 Canceled for an Unlikely Reason

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

📸 Clive Mason - 2025 Getty Images