Zidane reveals France squad for Nations League, Saliba misses out

The French Football Federation has officially unveiled the 23-man roster for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Italy and Turkey. Head coach Zidane has opted for several tactical adjustments, including the integration of fresh talent and the return of key individuals to the international setup.

Notable changes and squad depth

Among the headline inclusions is Paris FC midfielder Pablo Pagis, who earns his debut call-up to the senior team. The squad also sees the return of Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, who missed the previous international window. In the defensive line, Leny Yoro and Malo Gusto have been brought in to replace Jules Koundé and Maxence Lacroix.

While the squad features stars like Kylian Mbappé, Ibrahima Konaté, and Marcus Thuram, there are significant absences. Arsenal defender William Saliba has been left out, a move that may assist his club in managing his fitness levels. Additionally, Theo and Lucas have both been excluded from the selection.

Following the announcement, Theo drew attention after posting and then quickly deleting a laughing emoji on social media. While the meaning behind the post remains unclear, it marks the defender's second consecutive omission under Zidane's leadership.