Five possible surprise picks in Deschamps’ France U21s squad 👀

The return of a Blues legend?

The French team will play its first two qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup, against Ukraine on September 5 in Wroclaw, Poland, and then against Iceland on September 9 at the Parc des Princes.

This Wednesday, at 2 pm, Didier Deschamps will unveil the list of players called up for these two matches. OneFootball presents the five possible surprises of this first selection of the 2025-26 season!

Hugo Ekitike - Liverpool

Would it really be a surprise? Transferred to Liverpool this summer for 95 million euros, Hugo Ekitike has changed dimension.

And with X goals in three matches under the Reds jersey, the former Reims striker is already making a strong impression. Enough for Didier Deschamps? Answer in a few minutes...

Maghnes Akliouche - AS Monaco

The name of Maghnes Akliouche is the one that comes up most often in the last few months, just hours before the announcement of a Didier Deschamps selection.

Always an undisputed starter with AS Monaco, the 23-year-old playmaker has certainly not been able to gain points this summer due to his absence from the Euro Espoirs, but his points capital is already perfectly advanced!

While Rayan Cherki's first call-up was a great success last June, will the coach dare to try a similar move with the ASM star?

Corentin Tolisso - Olympique Lyonnais

The captain of Olympique Lyonnais seems, at the start of the season, to be surfing on his excellent 2024-25 exercise!

A 2024-25 season that unfortunately did not result in a return to the French team for the June gathering... while many observers imagined it!

Almost four years to the day after his last call-up with the Blues, the 2018 World Champion has everything to be a surprise... finally not so surprising!

📸 OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE - AFP or licensors

Mohamed Simakan - Al-Nassr

The big bet! Left for Al-Nassr last summer, Mohamed Simakan continues to shine.

The 25-year-old central defender has again been dazzling in recent days on the occasion of his team's two matches in the Arab Super Cup.

Announced as close to the Blues when he played for Leipzig, the former Strasbourg player remains a defensive solution to explore for Didier Deschamps...

📸 Yasser Bakhsh - 2025 Getty Images

Olivier Giroud - LOSC

Ah yes, he's there, the top scorer of the French team!

Author of two goals in two matches with Lille for his return to Ligue 1, Olivier Giroud has already charmed the French championship.

So, a spectacular and surprise return of the striker with the Blues, do you believe in it?

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

📸 Clive Mason - 2025 Getty Images