Hugo Ekitike snubbed as France name squad for 2026 World Cup qualifiers, handing a debut call-up to Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche

Hugo Ekitike snubbed — despite a red-hot start to life at Liverpool, the 23-year-old striker was left out of Didier Deschamps’ France squad for the start of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

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Ekitike, who joined Liverpool this summer from Eintracht Frankfurt, has already bagged three goals in his first three competitive matches, impressing fans and pundits alike. Yet, he finds himself overlooked as Deschamps opts for fresh attacking talent.

Instead, Maghnes Akliouche, the exciting Monaco winger, receives his first senior call-up. The 23-year-old has been a standout in Ligue 1 and was a key part of Thierry Henry’s silver-medal-winning France Olympic team in Paris last year.

France — winners of the 2018 World Cup and runners-up in 2022 — begin their Group D campaign with:

Ukraine (away) – Friday, September 5
Iceland (home) – Tuesday, September 9

They will also face Azerbaijan, with further group matches set for October and November. The group winner will qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Ekitike had been tipped for a senior breakthrough after scoring five times in five appearances for France’s Under-21 side last season. But with Kylian Mbappe, Marcus Thuram, Rayan Cherki, and Michael Olise all included, competition for attacking places remains fierce.

Meanwhile, Akliouche’s inclusion reflects growing trust in Ligue 1’s emerging talent, with Deschamps acknowledging the Monaco winger’s “consistency, creativity, and tactical maturity.”

Goalkeepers:
Lucas Chevalier (PSG), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Rennes)

Defenders:
Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Theo Hernandez (Al-Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)

Midfielders:
Desire Doue (PSG), Manu Kone (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (Marseille), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Khephren Thuram (Juventus)

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Forwards:
Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)