France hand Akliouche first call-up as Ekitike left out of World Cup qualifiers squad

France head coach Didier Deschamps has named his squad for the opening matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, with Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche earning his first senior call-up, Sport360NG reports.

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike, who has made a flying start to life at Anfield with three goals in as many games since joining from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer, was not included despite his form. The 23-year-old, who netted five times for France’s Under-21 side last season, will have to wait for his senior debut in a squad packed with attacking options.

Les Bleus, winners of the 2018 World Cup and finalists in 2022, open their Group D campaign against Ukraine in Poland on Friday, September 5, before hosting Iceland in Paris on Tuesday, September 9. Azerbaijan completes the group, with fixtures also scheduled in October and November. The group winners will qualify automatically for the finals in North America.

Akliouche, 23, has impressed consistently for Monaco, earning links with top European clubs and was part of Thierry Henry’s Olympic squad that claimed silver in Paris last year. He is joined by Rayan Cherki, who recently sealed a move to Manchester City from Lyon and made his France debut in the Nations League finals in June.

Midfielder Adrien Rabiot is also named despite ongoing uncertainty over his future at Marseille, where he has been sidelined following a dressing-room incident earlier this month.

France Squad for September World Cup Qualifiers

Goalkeepers

Lucas Chevalier (Paris Saint-Germain)

Mike Maignan (AC Milan, Italy)

Brice Samba (Rennes)

Defenders

Lucas Digne (Aston Villa, England)

Malo Gusto (Chelsea, England)

Lucas Hernandez (Paris Saint-Germain)

Theo Hernandez (Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia)

Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool, England)

Jules Kounde (Barcelona, Spain)

William Saliba (Arsenal, England)

Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich, Germany)

Midfielders

Desire Doue (Paris Saint-Germain)

Manu Kone (Roma, Italy)

Adrien Rabiot (Marseille)

Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid, Spain)

Khephren Thuram (Juventus, Italy)

Forwards

Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco)

Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain)

Rayan Cherki (Manchester City, England)

Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain)

Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid, Spain)

Michael Olise (Bayern Munich, Germany)

Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan, Italy)