Hugo Ekitike Left Out Of France Squad Despite Bright Liverpool Start

Last Updated:August 27, 2025, 19:23 IST

Hugo Ekitike misses France squad despite Liverpool form as Didier Deschamps calls up Maghnes Akliouche and Rayan Cherki for 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Hugo Ekitike has been in excellent form for Liverpool. (Picture credit: AP)

Twenty-three-year-old in-form striker Hugo Ekitike missed out on a place in the France squad for the start of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign named on Wednesday, despite being in a rich vein of form with his new club, Liverpool.

Ekitike has netted three goals in as many competitive outings since arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer. However, the youngster, who scored five goals for the France Under-21 side in five matches last season, will seemingly have to wait for his senior debut amid fierce competition.

Coach Didier Deschamps has, meanwhile, handed a first senior call-up to highly-rated Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche. The 23-year-old looks ready to finally put his days on the fringes of the full France squad behind him. He has scored 13 goals and assisted 14 more so far in the Ligue 1 and was part of Thierry Henry’s team, which won the silver medal at the Paris Olympics last year.

Rayan Cherki, who debuted for the senior French team in June during the UEFA Nations League finals before moving from Lyon to Manchester City, is also included.

Despite being sidelined and put up for sale by his club Marseille after a dressing-room altercation with a teammate earlier this month, experienced midfielder Adrien Rabiot is also named in the squad.

France, World Cup winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, will start their qualification campaign for next year’s finals in North America with a trip to Poland to face Ukraine next Friday, September 5.

They will then host Iceland in Paris on Tuesday, September 9. Azerbaijan is their other opponent in Group D, with additional matches scheduled for October and November, and the group winners will qualify directly for the finals.

France squad

Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (Paris Saint-Germain), Mike Maignan (AC Milan/ITA), Brice Samba (Rennes)

Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa/ENG), Malo Gusto (Chelsea/ENG), Lucas Hernandez (Paris Saint-Germain), Theo Hernandez (Al-Hilal/KSA), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool/ENG), Jules Kounde (Barcelona/ESP), William Saliba (Arsenal/ENG), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich/GER)

Midfielders: Desire Doue (Paris Saint-Germain), Manu Kone (Roma/ITA), Adrien Rabiot (Marseille), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid/ESP), Khephren Thuram (Juventus/ITA)

Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City/ENG), Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid/ESP), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/GER), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan/ITA)

)With AFP Inputs)

News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

Location :

First Published:

August 27, 2025, 19:23 IST

News sports Hugo Ekitike Left Out Of France Squad Despite Bright Liverpool Start

Read More