National Team: Pagis Stuns, Tchouaméni Returns

TVS News AI, editorially supervised, presents National Team: Pagis Stuns, Tchouaméni Returns.

Zinédine Zidane announced the 23-player squad on Friday, November 6, 2026 for France’s two upcoming Nations League matches. Aurélien Tchouaméni is returning to the squad, while Pablo Pagis of Paris FC receives his first call-up. Kylian Mbappé is also back in the squad following his injury.

France first faces Italy in Milan on Thursday, November 12 at 8:45 p.m. The match against Turkey in Bordeaux follows on Sunday, November 15 at 8:45 p.m. This is the national team coach’s second squad. After the first training camp, which produced three wins and one draw, Zidane’s tenure now enters its second phase.

Zidane Has to Compensate for Numerous Absences

Zidane once again had to rebuild his second squad because several players are unavailable. Ousmane Dembélé, William Saliba, Manu Koné, Jules Koundé and Maxence Lacroix are injured or still undergoing rehabilitation. France are also without Estéban Lepaul in attack, while Maghnes Akliouche was only called shortly before the squad announcement.

Zidane once again trusts Mike Maignan, Guillaumes Restes and Robin Risser in goal. Adrien Truffert, Pierre Kalulu, Leny Yoro and Andy Diouf have been selected again in defense after being called up in September. Jérémy Jacquet of Liverpool could start in Milan alongside Ibrahima Konaté of Real Madrid, with Dayot Upamecano suspended for the match.

Tchouaméni Returns to Midfield

Aurélien Tchouaméni is once again part of the French squad. During the first Nations League window, the Real Madrid player was still undergoing rehabilitation and was therefore not selected. Zidane says he is now technically fit and available again for the match in Milan.

Alongside Tchouaméni, Zidane selected Adrien Rabiot, Eduardo Camavinga, Lucas Da Cunha, Rayan Cherki and Warren Zaïre-Emery in midfield. The latter can play in several positions and is considered a major advantage of this squad. Zidane did not say in advance how much playing time Tchouaméni or the other players would receive.

Pagis Is the Surprise in Attack

The biggest surprise is Pablo Pagis of Paris FC. It is his first call-up to the French national team. Because of the attacking absences, Zidane also selected Marcus Thuram of Inter alongside Pagis. Thuram had not been called up in September.

“The idea is not to pick only veterans, nor to pick only newcomers. I want to see players. Pablo Pagis was an opportunity; I felt like seeing him with us. I don’t know how it will go. There are two matches, and we’ll see how much playing time he gets.”

Pagis and Thuram will be joined in attack by Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué. Mbappé was injured during the first Nations League window. He has now been called up again and, according to Zidane, is set to start in his preferred role as a striker in both matches.

The Complete Squad

• Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Guillaumes Restes, Robin Risser
• Defenders: Dayot Upamecano, Jérémy Jacquet, Ibrahima Konaté, Adrien Truffert, Pierre Kalulu, Leny Yoro, Andy Diouf, Malo Gusto
• Midfielders: Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, Lucas Da Cunha, Rayan Cherki, Warren Zaïre-Emery
• Forwards: Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola, Désiré Doué, Pablo Pagis, Marcus Thuram

The squad for the matches in Milan and Bordeaux is therefore tailored to a three-day schedule. Zidane wants to assess the available players in two matches and draw conclusions for the national team going forward. L’Équipe described Pagis as the surprise of the second squad.

Note: This article was editorially prepared by TVS News with the assistance of AI.