Deschamps hands France recalls to Kante, Kolo Muani
With injuries piling up for France, Didier Deschamps has brought players back into the fold ahead of their World Cup qualifiers.
Didier Deschamps has opted to recall both N'Golo Kane and Randal Kolo Muani to France's squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
France sit top of Group D with two matches left to play and will face Ukraine and Azerbaijan as they aim to book their place at next year's tournament.
Kante, who plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad, has not appeared for France since November 2024, in a 0-0 draw with Israel in the Nations League.
It is not the 34-year-old's first long lay-off, having been absent from the squad for two years prior to returning for Euro 2024, when he helped the team to the semi-finals.
And he is joined in the squad by Kolo Muani, who has missed the last two camps, with Warren Zaire-Emery, who played for the Under-21s in October, also included.
Deschamps' hand has been forced somewhat due to high-profile injuries, with Paris Saint-Germain duo Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue both ruled out for the second consecutive window.
"I'm especially sad for Ousmane because last season he was spared, and now he's having a run of injuries," Deschamps told a press conference.
"Not having him with us is not a good thing."
Aurelien Tchouameni is also unavailable for France after Real Madrid announced on Thursday that he had suffered a left hamstring issue.
France squad: Lucas Chevalier (Paris Saint-Germain), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Rennes), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (Paris Saint-Germain), Theo Hernandez (Al-Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), N’Golo Kante (Al-Ittihad), Manu Kone (Roma), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain), Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool), Randal Kolo Muani (Tottenham), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Christopher Nkunku (AC Milan).
