Zidane Names First France Squad, Keeps Mbappe as Captain

Zinedine Zidane announced his first 23-player squad as France manager on Friday, confirming Kylian Mbappe will remain captain. The list features five uncapped players: goalkeeper Guillaume Restes, defenders Andy Diouf and Jeremy Jacquet, midfielder Lucas Da Cunha, and striker Esteban Lepaul. Notably absent are midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and forward Marcus Thuram.

France opens its Nations League campaign away to Turkey on September 25, followed by a trip to Belgium three days later. Home fixtures against Italy on October 2 and Belgium on October 5 complete the September-October window. Zidane, appointed in July on a four-year contract, succeeds Didier Deschamps after the latter's 14-year tenure ended following the World Cup semi-final loss to Spain.

“He is capable of playing in the three positions and I also really like him on the left.”

Jacquet, 21, earns a call-up after a strong start at Liverpool following his move from Rennes. Zidane revealed he tracked the centre-back for years because he played alongside his son Elyaz in youth ranks. Diouf, a midfielder for Inter Milan, will be deployed as a left-back by the new coach.

Lepaul, last season's Ligue 1 top scorer with 20 goals for Rennes, adds a different profile to the attack. Zidane also called up Rayan Cherki, describing him as a classic number 10 capable of playing between the lines. The coach dismissed questions about Mbappe's defensive work rate, calling it a "false debate."

Zidane ruled out any political role, stating he would focus solely on his sporting duties. The 54-year-old World Cup winner returns to management after 1,888 days away since leaving Real Madrid in 2021.