France calls up Martial but leaves out Giroud for World Cup Qualifiers

The new squad also has four uncapped players, namely Moussa Diaby, Aurelien Tchouameni, Theo Hernandez and Jordan Veretout.

File Photo: Didier Deschamps, under whom France was knocked out of Euro 2020 by Switzerland, announced his team in a press conference at the French Football Federation (FFF) headquarters in Paris on August 26, 2021.

Didier Deschamps, the head coach announced France’s squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers on Thursday with four new players and no place for veteran striker Olivier Giroud.

Giroud is the France team’s second highest scorer with 46 goals, but the 34-year-old AC Milan forward lost his place to Karim Benzema at the European Championships.

Giroud has played 110 matches for France and has been in every squad since he was first called up in November 2011.

 

The four uncapped players are Bayer Leverkusen forward Moussa Diaby, Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, AC Milan left back Theo Hernandez and Roma midfielder Jordan Veretout.

Hernandez has impressed with his attacking skills, scoring 15 goals in the past two seasons.

Veretout netted 10 league goals in Serie A last season and opened this campaign with two goals in his first game last weekend.

Deschamps also recalled Manchester United forward Anthony Martial, who missed Euro 2020 after sustaining a left knee injury.

France hosts Bosnia and Herzegovina in Strasbourg on Sept. 1 and travels to play Ukraine in Kiev three days later before hosting Finland in Lyon on Sept. 7.

France leads Group D with seven points from three games.

The Squad: Defenders Lucas Digne (Everton), Leo Dubois (Lyon), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Jules Kounde (Sevilla), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Raphael Varane (Manchester United), Kurt Zouma (West Ham) Midfielders N'Golo Kante (Chelsea), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Aurelien Tchouameni (Monaco), Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich), Jordan Veretout (AS Roma) Forwards Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen), Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona), Thomas Lemar (Atletico Madrid), Anthony Martial (Manchester United), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain).