Mbappe, Dembele and Barcola make France’s latest squad
Kylian Mbappé has been reinstated to the France national team for the Nations League quarter-finals against Croatia, following his absence from the October and November international breaks.
Mbappé, now with Real Madrid, was previously omitted due to fitness concerns and personal issues, despite being fit enough to play for his club. He is expected to maintain his role as captain.
The squad also includes newcomers like Desire Doué from Paris Saint-Germain, who earns his first call-up17.
France will face Croatia on March 20 and 23
Following his complete recovery from a tumultuous start to his new Madrid life, Mbappé is expected to retain the captain’s armband. Mbappé’s Real Madrid teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni has also returned to the France squad, replacing Al-Ittihad midfielder N’Golo Kanté. Deschamps has chosen to award PSG winger Désiré Doué (19) his first senior France call-up, following a series of impressive performances with Luis Enrique’s Les Parisiens.
Wesley Fofana, the Chelsea centre-back who has just returned from injury, has not been selected for the squad, with Deschamps instead recalling Inter Milan centre-back Benjamin Pavard. Ibrahima Konaté and William Saliba, both established Premier League players, have been named to the team. France, having secured first place in the Nations League A2 group, will face Croatia in the quarter-finals, with the first leg scheduled for Thursday, March 20, at Split’s Poljud Stadium, and the return leg at Saint-Denis’ Stade de France the following Sunday.
Goalkeepers: Lille’s Lucas Chevalier, Mike Maignan of AC Milan, and Lens’s Brice Samba
Defensive Players: Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Inter), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfield players comprise Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio), Manu Koné (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (Marseille), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), and Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG).
Strikers: Bradley Barcola (PSG), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Désiré Doué (PSG), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).
