Jean-Philippe Mateta has been handed his first senior call-up for France after a bright start to the season with Crystal Palace.
The 28-year-old striker has scored four goals in ten games across all competitions this term, helping Palace remain unbeaten in the Premier League and climb into third place. Last season, he netted 17 times, and since 2023 he has struck 32 goals in England’s top flight.
France coach Didier Deschamps explained the decision on Thursday. “I like his profile,” Deschamps told reporters. “He is not so young, but he has played almost everywhere at youth level. He has the ability to score goals.”
Mateta is no stranger to French football fans. He represented France at Under-21 level and was a standout at the 2024 Paris Olympics, scoring five times in six matches as Thierry Henry’s side won silver. Yet until now, he had never been included in Deschamps’s senior squad.
His breakthrough comes at a time when France are coping with several high-profile absences. Ousmane Dembélé, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, and Paris Saint-Germain’s Desire Doué are both injured. Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram and Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki are also sidelined.
In attack, Mateta joins Kylian Mbappé, Christopher Nkunku and Kingsley Coman. Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike and Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche also retain their places after recent debuts.
France’s midfield has seen changes too. Eduardo Camavinga, absent since March, returns in place of the suspended Aurélien Tchouaméni.
Les Bleus lead Group D after winning their opening qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland. Victories against Azerbaijan in Paris on October 10 and Iceland away three days later could all but secure France’s place at the 2026 World Cup.
France Squad in Full
Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (PSG), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Rennes)
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Manu Koné (Roma), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Khéphren Thuram (Juventus)
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Kingsley Coman (Al-Nassr), Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Christopher Nkunku (AC Milan)
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