Team of France: Pagis called, Chuameni back, Hernandez dismissed... Zidane's choices

Zinedine Zidane continues to build her group without freezing the squares. His second list, announced Friday, November 6, 2026, prepares the travels and appointments against Italy and Turkey in the League of Nations. Foot Mercato and East Republican confirm the first convocation of Pablo Pagis as well as the returns of Aurélien Chuameni and Marcus Thuram. RMC Sport recalls the immediate objective: to ensure qualification for quarter finals. [S1] [S2] [S5]

Pagis, an opportunity arising from Akliouche's package

Pablo Pagis, 23-year-old Paris FC attacker, benefits from the unavailability of Maghnes Akliouche. But his summons is not an improvised choice: according to Zidane's explanations reported by Foot Mercato, he was already on the expanded list. The breeder wants to observe a different profile as part of the rally. The absence of a competitor therefore creates openness; The prior interest of the staff explains the player selected. [S1]

This first summons does not guarantee minutes in the game. Zidane explains in the direct West France dedicated to the same announcement that he does not systematically favour either the old or the new. He wishes to see Pagis with the group and reserves his decision on its use at both meetings. For the attacker, the stage acquired is access to the rally, not a place in the eleven. [S11]

The injuries weigh heavily on selection. In addition to Akliouche, Foot Mercato mentions the packages of Ousmane Dembélé, Manu Koné, William Saliba, Jules Kounde, Maxence Lacroix and Esteban Lepaul. These absences reduce the possibilities of the breeder and explain some of the changes, not enough to establish a sustainable hierarchy. [S1]

Chuameni, Gusto and Thuram: feedback to evaluate

Aurélien Chuameni finds the Blues again because it is operational again, Zidane explains. His return comes as Lucas Da Cunha scored points in the previous rally. The breeder insists on their different profiles and retains responsibility for arbitration: their common presence does not mean that a holder is already appointed. [S1]

For Malo Gusto, the reasoning is more directly related to the position to be filled. Jules Kounde being hit, Chelsea's player was next in the order of Zidane's choices. The breeder recognizes his reduced playing time in the club, but highlights his knowledge of the French team. Marcus Thuram also benefits from injuries in the offensive sector: Zidane wants to observe it, without announcing its role further. [S1] [S11]

In goals, Robin Risser joins Mike Maignan and Guillaume Restes. East Republican reports that Risser was already considered for the first list before an injury. Zidane and Fabien Barthez wanted to see him at the rally. The West France direct states that the hierarchy still needs to be discussed with Barthez. [S2] [S11]

Hernandez and Krupi: two absences, two explanations

Lucas Hernandez is not retained, but Zidane explicitly rejects the idea of an exclusion related to his age. The defender belonged to a preselection of 64 players; Others were chosen for this appointment. The breeder says the door remains open. It is therefore, in its public explanation, a sporting arbitration for this list, not the announcement of an end to an international career. [S1]

The case of Éli Junior Krupi is different. Zidane said that he had considered the attacker from Bournemouth, but judged his return to be too recent after two or three months' absence. The two non-convocations should not be confused: for Hernandez, the breeder assumes a preference; for Krupi, he invokes the insufficient setback since his recovery. [S1]

Milan then Bordeaux, with the qualification in view

The French Football Federation confirmed Italy-France on 12 November in Milan, then France-Turkey on 15 November in Bordeaux. Both meetings are scheduled at 8:45 p.m. and broadcast on TF1. They will complete the group phase of the League of Nations 2026-2027 for the Blues. [S10]

According to RMC Sport, France leads with 10 points, ahead of Italy, Belgium and Turkey. A invalid in Italy would ensure that he qualified for quarters; a win would guarantee him first place before the last day. The stake is therefore twofold for Zidane: to obtain the necessary result while evaluating the players recalled or newly summoned. The tenures and the distribution of play time remain to be determined. [S5] [S1] [S11]