France: Zidane must make key defensive choices amid several uncertainties

Zidane will name his France squad Friday for Nations League matches against Italy and Turkey, with defensive injuries and suspensions forcing tough selection calls.

Zinédine Zidane will announce his France squad on Friday for upcoming Nations League fixtures against Italy and Turkey. The defensive line faces significant uncertainty across multiple positions.

The centre-back pairing is particularly affected. Maxence Lacroix is sidelined until 2027, William Saliba continues his recovery from a back injury, and Dayot Upamecano is suspended for the first match. Jérémy Jacquet is expected to feature after a successful debut, while Ibrahima Konaté could make his first appearance under Zidane following injury absence. Leny Yoro, who impressed against Belgium despite complications at Manchester United, is also in contention. Wesley Fofana's recent form at Chelsea is being monitored for future selection.

At left-back, Adrien Truffert is set to retain his place after a solid recent showing. Andy Diouf offers an alternative, though he is still adjusting to the position. On the right flank, Jules Koundé—France's vice-captain—may be unavailable due to fitness concerns, which would open the door for Malo Gusto or a positional shift. Zidane's defensive selections on Friday are expected to contain several surprises given the injury toll and tactical flexibility required.