Hugo Ekitike’s impressive form for Liverpool wasn’t enough to earn him a call-up to the French national team for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, as Didier Deschamps handed a first call-up to Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche. France prepares to face Ukraine and Iceland in their qualifying campaign, led by Kylian Mbappe, with other stars like Ousmane Dembele and Aurelien Tchouameni included, while Benjamin Pavard and Randal Kolo Muani miss out.
Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche has received his first call-up to the French national team, while Liverpool's in-form striker Hugo Ekitike was surprisingly left out of Didier Deschamps' squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Ekitike's omission comes as a shock to many, given his impressive start to the season with Liverpool. Since joining from Eintracht Frankfurt, the 23-year-old has quickly established himself as a key player, netting three goals in as many games. His prolific form had led many to believe that he was a shoo-in for his first senior international cap as France begins their qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup.
Despite his previous success with the under-21s, where he scored five goals in five appearances, Deschamps has opted to overlook Ekitike on this occasion. Instead, the manager has decided to give Akliouche an opportunity to prove himself on the international stage. The 22-year-old winger has been a standout performer for Monaco, showcasing his pace, trickery, and eye for goal.
The announcement of the squad was met with mixed reactions from fans and pundits alike. While many were excited to see Akliouche get his chance, others questioned the decision to leave out Ekitike, who they believe has earned his place in the squad based on his recent performances. Deschamps, however, has a track record of making bold decisions, and he clearly believes that Akliouche is the right choice for this particular set of fixtures.
France will kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign with a trip to Poland to face Ukraine on September 5th. Four days later, they will return to Paris to host Iceland in what is expected to be a tough test for Les Bleus.
Kylian Mbappe will once again lead the line for France, and he will be hoping to add to his already impressive international goal tally. The Paris Saint-Germain superstar is undoubtedly the team's talisman, and his performances will be crucial to France's chances of securing a place at the World Cup in 2026.
Other notable inclusions in the squad include Ousmane Dembele, who has been in fine form for Barcelona, and Aurelien Tchouameni, who has established himself as a key player in Real Madrid's midfield. Michael Olise also earns a spot after impressing with Crystal Palace.
However, there were also some notable absentees from the squad. Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard and Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani were both left out, presumably due to a combination of form and tactical considerations.
The full squad list is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola, Mike Maignan, Brice Samba.
Defenders: Jonathan Clauss, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano.
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga, Youssouf Fofana, Antoine Griezmann, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni.
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Ousmane Dembele, Olivier Giroud, Randal Kolo Muani, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise.
Rentrée des classes pour nos Bleus🇫🇷
— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) August 27, 2025
Didier Deschamps a dévoilé sa liste des 23, avec la première de Maghnes Akliouche ✨
Cap désormais sur le début des qualifications à la Coupe du Monde 2026 !#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/kXfUnEOl5O