Zidane Begins France Reign with Three Real Madrid Stars in His First Squad

Zinedine Zidane has officially begun a new chapter with the France national team after replacing Didier Deschamps following the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The appointment marks a major change for Les Bleus, with the former Real Madrid and France legend now preparing for his first competitive assignment as head coach. Zidane has wasted little time in shaping his squad ahead of the upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign.

The new France boss has included three Real Madrid players in his first selection, with Kylian Mbappe, Eduardo Camavinga, and Ibrahima Konate all earning places in the squad. Their inclusion underlines the importance of the Spanish giants within Zidane's plans as he looks to build a team capable of competing at the highest level. Mbappe will also continue to wear the captain's armband under the new manager.

Camavinga's return is one of the notable developments in the squad. The 23-year-old midfielder missed out on France's World Cup squad after struggling for form during the previous season, but his performances have since improved considerably. His progress under Jose Mourinho has helped put him back into contention, giving Zidane another option in midfield as the new coach begins to establish his preferred group of players.

Meanwhile, Aurelien Tchouameni has been left out of the squad after recently recovering from an injury. Zidane has opted to give the midfielder additional time rather than immediately placing him back into international competition. The decision reflects the importance of managing the workload of players returning from physical setbacks, particularly at the beginning of a new international cycle.

France face a demanding schedule during the upcoming three-week international break, with matches against Turkey, Belgium twice, and Italy in the Nations League. The fixtures will provide Zidane with an early opportunity to assess his squad and introduce his ideas to the team. With several established players retained and Camavinga returning to the fold, attention will now turn to how Zidane shapes France during the opening stage of his tenure.