PARIS (AP) — World Cup winner N’Golo Kante has been recalled to France for qualifiers against Ukraine and Azerbaijan.
Kante made his 64th and final appearance for Les Bleus in a goalless draw with Israel last November. The small, tireless midfielder plays in the Saudi Professional League with Al Ittihad.
“He is at the highest level,” France coach Didier Deschamps said on Thursday after announcing the 24-man list. “I call him not to make him feel part of the group, but to give him an important role.”
France, who lead Europe’s Group D, can qualify for next year’s World Cup if they defeat second-place Ukraine at the Parc des Princes on November 13. Coach Didier Deschamps’ players are scheduled to fly to Baku for a match against Azerbaijan in three days’ time.
Up front, Deschamps will be without injured Paris Saint-Germain forwards Desiree Douet and Ousmane Dembélé. But he has plenty of firepower at his disposal, including Tottenham’s in-form striker Randal Kolo Muani and Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé.
France
Goalkeeper: Lucas Chevalier (PSG), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Rennes)
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Maro Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Williams Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), N’Golo Kante (Al Ittihad), Manu Kone (Roma), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Warren Zaile-Emery (PSG)
Forwards: Magnes Acriuce (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Ryan Cherki (Manchester City), Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool), Randal Kolo Muani (Tottenham), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Christopher Nkunku (AC Milan)
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
