France announces surprise World Cup qualifier squad

France has announced a star-studded squad for the last two matches of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. However, coach Didier Deschamps had to make do without several key players due to injuries.

Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Chouhan and PSG's Ousmane Dembele have been ruled out due to injuries, and N'Golo Kante, who plays for Saudi club Al Ittihad, has returned to the national team after almost a year.

Coach Deschamps is a bit disappointed by the absence of injured players. He said, especially about Dembele's exclusion, "I feel bad for Dembele. He was in great form last season, but now he is getting injured again and again. The team is incomplete without him."

However, France has announced a strong enough team even without Chouhane and Dembele. Captain Kylian Mbappe will be joined in attack by Christopher Nkunku, Bradley Barkola and Hugo Ekiti. Randall Kolo Muani has replaced Marcus Thuram. In midfield, Kante will be joined by Kamavinga and PSG's young sensation Warren Zaire-Emery.

France will take on Ukraine next Friday (November 14) and Azerbaijan on November 16. Mbappe's team currently top Group D with 10 points from four matches, three wins and a draw.

France squad
Goalkeepers: Mike Mignon, Brice Samba, Lucas Chevalier
Defenders: Theo and Lucas Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kunde, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Malo Gusto, Lucas Digne
Midfielders: N'Golo Kante, Eduardo Camavinga, Manu Kone, Michael Oliseh, Warren Zaire-Emery
Forwarders: Kylian Mbappe, Christopher Nkunku, Randal Kolo Muani, Hugo Ekitike, Bradley Barkola, Ryan Charkey, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Maghness Aklyuche.