Kante comeback bolsters France's push for World Cup spot

Veteran midfielder N'Golo Kante, currently with Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, has rejoined the France national team to strengthen the midfield amid injuries ahead of World Cup qualifiers versus Ukraine and Azerbaijan.

A win against Ukraine on November 13 at the Parc des Princes would secure France's place at the North American tournament.

Should that not happen, Les Bleus can still qualify by beating Azerbaijan in Baku on November 16.

With Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid and Adrien Rabiot from AC Milan sidelined, manager Didier Deschamps has brought back the 34 year old Kante as a key midfield reinforcement.

The ex Premier League champion, who triumphed with Chelsea and Leicester, boasts 64 international appearances, his most recent being a Nations League match against Israel on November 14, 2024.

Paris Saint Germain's Warren Zaire Emery returns to the midfield too. After a sluggish season opening that saw the 19 year old drop to the under 21s, injuries to Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue paved his way back to the senior side, where he has regained his sharpness.

To cover for the missing Doue and Dembele, Deschamps has freshened up the attack by calling up Rayan Cherki from Manchester City and Randal Kolo Muani of Tottenham.

Cherki netted on his international debut during France's Nations League semi final defeat to Spain in June, though he sat out the initial autumn fixtures due to a knock.

Kolo Muani earns a recall following his elevation to Tottenham's starting eleven. He ranks as the squad's second leading scorer with nine goals for France, trailing only Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid, who has netted 53 times in 93 caps.

Despite the absences of Doue and Dembele, four Paris Saint Germain players feature in the selection. From the rest of Ligue 1, Deschamps has included just Rennes reserve keeper Brice Samba and Monaco attacker Maghnes Akliouche.

Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (Paris Saint Germain), Mike Maignan (AC Milan/ITA), Brice Samba (Rennes)

Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa/ENG), Malo Gusto (Chelsea/ENG), Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal/KSA), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool/ENG), Jules Kounde (Barcelona/ESP), William Saliba (Arsenal/ENG), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich/GER)

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid/ESP), N'Golo Kante (Al Ittihad/KSA), Manu Kone (Roma/ITA), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/GER), Warren Zaire Emery (PSG)

Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City/ENG), Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool/ENG), Randal Kolo Muani (Tottenham/ENG), Jean Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace/ENG), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid/ESP), Christopher Nkunku (AC Milan/ITA)