France's national team coach Zinedine Zidane has called up Jean-Louis, goalkeeper for Como, for the first time in his career. This call-up is to replace Loup Renard, goalkeeper for Lens, who was withdrawn from the squad due to a physical issue. Jean-Louis, 31, will now have his first opportunity to play for France's senior national team. Zidane announced his first squad list on Friday, which included several stars from the Italian league.
The list included Mike Maignan and Manuel Locatelli, as well as Adrien Rabiot, alongside the first call-ups for Andy Diallo of Inter and Lucas Da Cunha of Como. Jean-Louis's addition brings the number of new players to two, as he joins the squad to replace the injured Renard. Last season, Jean-Louis played all 38 of Como's league games and helped the team qualify for the Champions League for the first time in the club's history.
This season, Jean-Louis has participated in four out of five league games for Como, as well as their first-ever Champions League match against Leipzig, which ended in a 4-1 victory. France will face Turkey on September 25, then Belgium on September 28, Italy on October 2, and Belgium again on October 5. Zidane took over as France's coach after Didier Deschamps' departure following the 2026 World Cup.
Under Zidane's leadership, several players have returned to the squad, including Eduardo Camavinga, who missed the 2026 World Cup. Other returning players are Adrien Truffert, who last played for France four years ago, and Andy Diallo, who has not played for France since 2024. Newcomers to the squad include Jeremy Jacquet of Liverpool and Lucas Da Cunha of Como.
Zidane's contract with France runs until the 2030 World Cup. In the 2026 World Cup, France lost to Spain in the semi-finals and then to England in the third-place match. Spain won the tournament by defeating Argentina in the final. Como's successful season has seen several of its players called up to national teams.
Jean-Louis's call-up is a significant milestone in his career, marking his entry into international football. His performance in the Italian league and European competition has caught the attention of Zidane. The French team's upcoming matches will provide Jean-Louis with an opportunity to demonstrate his skills on an international stage.
The French team's schedule is packed with critical matches in the coming weeks. Their performance will be closely watched, especially with the return of key players and the introduction of new talent like Jean-Louis. France's coaching staff will be looking to build on their recent experiences and prepare for future challenges.
Key points
- Jean-Louis, Como's goalkeeper, has been called up to France's national team for the first time.
- The call-up is to replace Loup Renard, who was withdrawn due to a physical issue.
- France will play several critical matches in the coming weeks, including against Turkey, Belgium, and Italy.
