France manager Didier Deschamps explains why in-form Liverpool star missed out on his first international call-up for World Cup qualifiers
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Didier Deschamps, manager of the France national football team, has announced his squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Despite a strong start to the season at Liverpool—scoring three goals in three games—forward Hugo Ekitiké has been omitted from the squad. The 23-year-old, who also impressed at the Under-21 level last season with five goals in five appearances, must wait longer for his senior France debut due to intense competition in the attacking positions.
In contrast, Monaco's 23-year-old attacking midfielder Maghnes Akliouche received his first senior call-up. Akliouche, valued for his standout performances in Ligue 1, scored five goals and provided ten assists last season, earning attention and a place in Deschamps' squad for the qualifying matches. His inclusion marks a notable step forward in his international career.
The squad also sees the return of key defenders who missed the recent Nations League finals, such as Arsenal's William Saliba, Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano, and Barcelona's Jules Koundé. The team features several high-profile players, including Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, and Ousmane Dembélé.
France begins its Group D World Cup qualifying campaign with a match against Ukraine on September 5 in Poland, followed by a home game against Iceland on September 9 at Paris' Parc des Princes. The group also includes Azerbaijan, with further qualifiers scheduled for October and November. The group winner qualifies automatically for the World Cup finals to be held in North America.
This squad selection underlines Deschamps' tactical choices and the fierce competition in the French team, balancing the inclusion of emerging talents like Akliouche with established stars, while leaving promising players like Ekitiké on the sidelines for now.
PP