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Zinedine Zidane names 50 players in preliminary squad for France
The legendary midfielder's first squad selection as France coach features several uncapped players and signals a new era for Les Bleus
Zinedine Zidane, has taken his first concrete step as the nation’s head coach. A preliminary squad list of roughly 50 players was disclosed on September 11, featuring a mix of established internationals and a handful of uncapped players.
The list serves as a broad net ahead of Zidane’s definitive squad announcement, scheduled for September 18 at 18:00. From there, the trimmed-down group will prepare for a demanding stretch of four UEFA Nations League fixtures in 11 days.
Fresh faces in the mix
Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul, Paris FC’s Pablo Pagis, and Lens defender Ismaïlo Ganiou are all uncapped players included in the extended list.
Zidane was appointed on July 28, 2026, signing a four-year deal that charts a course through the 2030 World Cup cycle.
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A brutal opening schedule
Whatever players survive the cut on September 18 will face a punishing set of fixtures. France travel to Turkey on September 25, then head to Belgium three days later on September 28. After that, it’s back home to host Italy on October 2 before closing the window against Belgium again on October 5.
Zidane’s backroom team
David Bettoni, who served as his assistant during his time at Real Madrid, is back by his side. The more eyebrow-raising appointment is Fabien Barthez as goalkeeping coach. Barthez won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 alongside Zidane as a player, and now transitions into a technical coaching role.