#france-national-team

#france-national-team

The 28-year-old made his France debut in a 3-0 World Cup qualifying win against Azerbaijan on 10 October, before scoring in the 2-2 draw with Iceland three days later. Mateta told L'Equipe newspaper, external how former Palace winger Zaha - now at Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC - was among former team-mates "who were laughing" when he expressed his ambition to play for his country. Zaha, 32, took to social media to defend himself, saying his head was "on fire" over what he had read.

Last night, as L'Equipe relays, Didier Deschamps gave an update on Adrien Rabiot, who was substituted in the 70th minute after scoring against Azerbaijan. The head coach confirmed that he will not take part in a group training session before their game against Iceland. "As a precaution, because of a slight sensation in his calf, a knock he must have taken. We'll give him more time."

I don't know. It hasn't happened in the past; I made other choices. Juve is always close to my heart. They gave me so much when I first got there. In terms of the future, I don't know. My feeling is that I want to be able to coach the national team in the future, even though I don't mean right now. I would like to one day, but we'll see.

France will look to maintain their perfect record in Group D as they travel to face Iceland in Monday's 2026 World Cup qualifier. Didier Deschamps's team currently top the group with nine points from three games, while Iceland sit third - one point behind second-placed Ukraine in the chase for a play-off berth. Iceland began their qualifying campaign with a 5-0 win over Azerbaijan but have since suffered back-to-back defeats:

France are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Azerbaijan this week. Mike Maignan will be in goal and will have Jules Kounde, Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano and Theo Hernandez in front of him in defence. Adrien Rabiot and Manu Kone will be the two holding midfielders. Bradley Barcola, Michael Olise and Marcus Thuram will be three attacking midfielders. Kylian Mbappe is likely to kead the line for France.

In a massive boost for Liverpool, who welcome Manchester United to Anfield after the international break, Konate joined up with the French national team on Monday at Clairefontaine, where he was scheduled to undergo further tests. Meanwhile, amid reports the defender's injury is not a major concern ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Iceland, head coach Didier Deschamps has revealed all 23-man selected are fit.

"It's sad for Ousmane and for Desire, of course, because of their injuries, and we're losing two important players for tomorrow's match," Deschamps told reporters on Monday. "But we did things in a professional and progressive way, as we always do with all the players, taking into account their own feelings."