Former Chelsea and Leicester City midfielder N’Golo Kante has been included in France’s squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Azerbaijan, his first call-up in a year.
Kante, who plays for Saudi Pro League (SPL) side Al Ittihad, last appeared for France in a 0-0 Nations League draw against Israel in November 2024, where he captained the side. He was left out of the squad by head coach Didier Deschamps for the Nations League finals earlier this year and also missed World Cup qualifiers in September and October.
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The 34-year-old has made 12 appearances in all competitions for Al Ittihad, the reigning SPL champions, this season and is in contention to add to his 64 senior France caps.
Kante has enjoyed a successful international career since making his debut in March 2016, winning the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 Nations League, with France also finishing as runners-up at Euro 2016.
He returned to the squad in June last year after two years out of the squad, representing his nation at Euro 2024, where they reached the semi-finals.
Kante is not the only Saudi Arabian-based player in the squad, with Al Hilal’s Theo Hernandez also selected.
Kante is a two-time Premier League champion, winning the title with both Leicester and Chelsea, and won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021.
Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki and Tottenham Hotspur’s Randal Kolo Muani (on loan from Paris Saint-Germain) both return to the squad for the first time since June after dealing with injuries. Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has retained his place after receiving his first call-up in October.
Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot, and Desire Doue are all absent through injury.
France are top of UEFA World Cup qualification Group D with 10 points, three points ahead of Ukraine in second. They host Ukraine on November 13 and visit Azerbaijan three days later. The group winners will qualify automatically for next summer’s World Cup.
Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (PSG), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Rennes)
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), N’Golo Kante (Al Ittihad), Manu Kone (Roma), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG)
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool), Randal Kolo Muani (Tottenham), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Christopher Nkunku (Milan).
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