Zidane France Squad: Pagis Gets First Call-Up
Zinedine Zidane named his France squad on Friday, handing Paris FC forward Pablo Pagis a first call-up for the Nations League fixtures against Italy and Turkey. The Zidane France squad is his second since taking charge, and captain Kylian Mbappe returns after missing the last three matches with a knee injury, while Aurelien Tchouameni, Ibrahima Konate and Marcus Thuram come back for the first time since the World Cup.
France face Italy in Milan on Thursday, 12 November, then host Turkey in Bordeaux on Sunday, 15 November. The two games close the group stage. France sit top of Group One with 10 points, and a draw against Italy will secure a place in the quarter-finals.
Pagis earns his chance after strong Paris FC form
Pagis, 23, plays chiefly as an attacking midfielder and has impressed this season since joining Paris FC from Lorient. Paris FC sit fourth in Ligue 1, and his form earned him a place on Zidane’s long list before the squad was named.
Zidane turned to Pagis after Maghnes Akliouche picked up a calf injury and had to withdraw. The France coach told reporters that Pagis had earned the call on merit.
“Pablo was part of the long list and he is a player I want to see,” Zidane said. “He is interesting, different and it is good to be able to see what he is like.”
The call-up caps a rapid rise for a player who joined Paris FC from Lorient.
Mbappe returns to lead the side
Mbappe missed France’s last three matches after suffering a knee injury on international duty in September. The Real Madrid forward scored the winner in Zidane’s first match in charge, away to Turkey on 25 September, but hurt his knee in the same game and sat out the rest of that international window.
His return restores the captain and the attack’s main threat for the two games that will decide the group. Thuram also returns to an attack that will feature Pagis for the first time, with Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue and Michael Olise completing the forward line.
Tchouameni and Konate also return, which gives Zidane his strongest midfield and defensive options since the World Cup.
Injury list forces changes across the squad
Zidane had to plan without several regulars. Ousmane Dembele, William Saliba, Manu Kone, Jules Kounde, Maghnes Akliouche, Maxence Lacroix and Esteban Lepaul are all out through injury.
Malo Gusto comes in to cover for Kounde at right back. Andy Diouf, Jeremy Jacquet and Lucas Da Cunha also make the 23-man squad, which shows how much Zidane is willing to look beyond the established names when injuries strike.
What the two games will decide
France lead Group One on 10 points. Italy are second on seven, just ahead of Belgium on six, while Turkey sit bottom without a single point.
A draw in Milan on Thursday will be enough for France to reach the quarter-finals, whatever happens in the final game against Turkey in Bordeaux three days later. Italy, by contrast, need a win to keep their own hopes of topping the group alive.
The trip to San Siro is the harder test, and the Turkey game in Bordeaux then offers a chance to finish the group on a high in front of a home crowd.
Zidane France squad in full
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Guillaume Restes (Toulouse), Robin Risser (Lens).
Defenders: Andy Diouf (Inter Milan), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Jeremy Jacquet (Liverpool), Pierre Kalulu (Juventus), Ibrahima Konate (Real Madrid), Adrien Truffert (Bournemouth), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Leny Yoro (Manchester United).
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Lucas Da Cunha (Como), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris St Germain).
Forwards: Bradley Barcola (Liverpool), Desire Doue (Paris St Germain), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Pablo Pagis (Paris FC), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).
France’s recent Nations League form gives Zidane a solid base. France thrashed Belgium and saw Italy beat Turkey in the last round of group games, which left Les Bleus in control of the group. Elsewhere, Cristiano Ronaldo retired from Portugal duty this week, Jobe Bellingham earned an England call-up, and Raphinha signed a new Barcelona contract running to 2030.
When do France play Italy and Turkey?
France face Italy in Milan on Thursday, 12 November, then host Turkey in Bordeaux on Sunday, 15 November. Both games are the final two group-stage fixtures in the Nations League.
Who is Pablo Pagis?
Pagis is a 23-year-old forward who plays chiefly as an attacking midfielder for Paris FC. He joined the club from Lorient and has impressed this season, with Paris FC fourth in Ligue 1. He was called up after Maghnes Akliouche withdrew with a calf injury.
Why is Kylian Mbappe back in the squad?
Mbappe missed France’s last three matches with a knee injury picked up in Zidane’s first game in charge, away to Turkey on 25 September. He scored the winner in that game before the injury ruled him out of the rest of the window.
What do France need to reach the quarter-finals?
France top Group One with 10 points, ahead of Italy on seven and Belgium on six. A draw against Italy in Milan will secure a quarter-final place, whatever happens against Turkey in Bordeaux.
