Sports
Zidane to name first France squad without Kanté
September 18, 2026 at 12:57 AM
Zinedine Zidane will announce his first France squad on Friday, beginning his tenure with a rebuilt midfield that excludes 2018 World Cup winner N'Golo Kanté.
- Zidane, appointed France coach on September 1 on a contract to 2030, will unveil the list at 6 PM Friday ahead of Nations League matches against Turkey and Belgium.
- L'Équipe reported Kanté, the 35-year-old now at Fenerbahçe, will be omitted as Zidane builds the midfield around Eduardo Camavinga and younger players.
- New goalkeeper coach Fabien Barthez wants changes behind starter Mike Maignan, with Rennes' 32-year-old Brice Samba expected to be selected.
- William Saliba will miss the squad due to injury ahead of the opening fixture in Istanbul on September 25.