Pagis Earns Maiden France Call-Up as Zidane Announces Updated Squad for Nations League

France manager Zinedine Zidane has turned to new faces for his second squad announcement, with Paris FC striker Pablo Pagis earning his first senior call-up. The 25-year-old is among the players selected for the upcoming Nations League games against Italy and Turkey, while Aurelien Tchouameni, Ibrahima Konate and Marcus Thuram are back in the national team for the first time since the World Cup.

Kylian Mbappe will also be available after sitting out the previous three matches with a knee problem. The France captain's return comes as a boost for Zidane ahead of two important fixtures.

However, injuries have forced several players out of the squad. Ousmane Dembele, William Saliba, Manu Kone, Jules Kounde, Maghnes Akliouche, Maxence Lacroix and Esteban Lepaul are among those who will miss the upcoming games.

Notably, France have two important tests ahead, with Italy hosting them in Milan on Thursday before they face Turkey in Bordeaux on Sunday.

Zidane's side are in a strong position in Group One with 10 points from their opening matches. A draw against Italy will be enough to secure a place in the Nations League quarter-finals. Zidane is therefore confident about his team's chances in the latter half of the tournament, however, he is not taking any match lightly that is coming ahead.

France Squad for Upcoming Nations League Fixtures

Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Guillaume Restes (Toulouse), Robin Risser (Lens).

Defenders: Andy Diouf (Inter Milan), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Jeremy Jacquet (Liverpool), Pierre Kalulu (Juventus), Ibrahima Konate (Real Madrid), Adrien Truffert (Bournemouth), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Leny Yoro (Manchester United).

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Lucas Da Cunha (Como), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris St Germain).

Forwards: Bradley Barcola (Liverpool), Desire Doue (Paris St Germain), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Pablo Pagis (Paris FC), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).