Zidane’s First France Squad: A Mix of Old Guard and New Talent

Zinedine Zidane has never been one for half-measures. His first France squad confirms it.

Taking over from Didier Deschamps in the summer, the new head coach unveiled his inaugural 23-man list for the upcoming international break, setting the tone for the 2026-2027 Nations League and, more importantly, for his era in charge.

This is not a revolution. It is a recalibration.

Mbappé Leads a Star-Studded Core

Fifteen players from the recent World Cup make the cut, a clear signal that Zidane wants continuity at the heart of his project. The armband stays with Kylian Mbappé, the undisputed face of the team and the reference point for everything France will try to do in League A.

Around him, there is no shortage of star power. Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé is in, bringing his chaos and creativity from wide areas, while Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise adds another high-level attacking option. On paper, it is an attacking unit built to frighten any defence in Europe.

They will need that edge. France have been drawn into a demanding Nations League group alongside Türkiye, Belgium, and Italy. Zidane is not easing into this job; he is walking straight into the fire.

Five New Faces, One Clear Intent

Where Deschamps often leaned on tried and trusted names, Zidane has dipped decisively into France’s next generation.

Five uncapped players receive their first senior call-up. At the back, Liverpool defender Jeremy Jacquet steps in with William Saliba absent, a bold show of trust in a player yet to feature at this level. Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes and Inter Milan full-back Andy Diouf join him among the defensive newcomers, hinting at a deeper reshaping of the back line.

In midfield, Como playmaker Lucas Da Cunha earns a place, a reward for his rise and a sign that Zidane wants more technical craft between the lines.

Up front, the message is even louder. Rennes forward Esteban Lepaul, last season’s top scorer in Ligue 1, finally gets his chance. His inclusion feels like a nod to form and merit over hierarchy. Perform, and you will be picked. It is as simple, and as ruthless, as that.

These five names are not token gestures. They are markers laid down for the cycle that leads to Euro 2028.

Big Calls, Big Absences

New blood means painful cuts. Zidane has not shied away.

N'Golo Kanté, Lucas Hernandez, and Lucas Digne are all left out of this first squad. These are not fringe figures but long-standing pillars of the Deschamps era, players who have carried France through tournaments and pressure nights.

Their omission underlines a shift. Zidane is not just tweaking the system; he is building a new one, with different profiles and a different timeline in mind.

Saliba’s absence, whether enforced or strategic, only sharpens that sense of change. Without him, the defensive structure inevitably looks different. France have depth, yes, but leaving out such established names is a statement: no one is guaranteed a place on reputation alone.

A New Era Begins on the Road

There is no gentle home unveiling for Zidane. France will launch this new chapter away from Paris, in Kocaeli, where they face Türkiye next Friday. It will be the first live test of his selections, his ideas, and his authority.

Then comes Brussels and a meeting with Belgium on September 28, a fixture that rarely feels like a friendly, regardless of the competition.

After that, the Stade de France will finally get its glimpse of the Zidane era. Italy arrive on October 2, a heavyweight clash that could shape the group, followed by a second showdown with Belgium on October 5.

By then, the picture will be clearer. Will the blend of Mbappé’s star power, Dembélé’s brilliance, Olise’s flair, and a cluster of fearless newcomers be enough to carry France through a brutal Nations League group?

Zidane has shown his hand. Now the question is whether this mix of legacy and renewal can carry France not just into this campaign, but all the way to Euro 2028 on his terms.