Leipzig star Nkunku gets first France call-up / Photo: ©
-
First-time boat buyers advised to assess full ownership costs
-
Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium
-
Planning and preparation can reduce stress of interstate relocation
-
Sweet As app launches restaurant discovery platform
-
Two more arrested in Carrie Mullane suspected murder investigation
-
MLA seeks inquiry into reported sectarian gestures on Ormeau Road
-
Mayo school appeals for information after convent and chapel vandalism
-
Louise O’Reilly attacks Simon Harris over unemployment remarks
-
Virginia overwhelms Arkansas 91-72 behind balanced scoring
-
Canadian soldier Aidan Goulding remembered at Vancouver funeral
-
Second major storm brings destructive winds and outages to British Columbia
-
Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka
-
Godzilla Minus Zero leads North American box office with $31.6m
-
Robert Trujillo discusses literacy and social justice children’s books
-
Doug Burgum's Security Interferes With TMZ Reporter at Reagan Airport
-
Advocate calls for coordinated support for children facing trafficking
-
Civil rights advocate William Bill Tucker dies aged 98
-
Medicare Open Enrollment Ends Dec. 7: Review Your Coverage Options
-
Pennsylvania Democrats secure state trifecta in midterm elections
-
2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Final Edition GSR Listed for $49,990 in Ontario
-
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Hosts Four-Day Día de Muertos Festival with Parades and Competitions
-
US Treasury order targets bank transfers linked to crypto exchange MEXC
-
Godzilla Minus Zero sets foreign-language box-office opening record
-
Eagles record six sacks as rushing attack struggles against Giants
-
Villeneuve teases James Bond casting at Los Angeles museum gala
-
Thames Water seeks to delay £12bn in debt repayments
-
Nottinghamshire launches specialist rural crime policing team
-
Newark boxing gym expands alternative education programme
-
China confirms talks over possible Xi-Putin-Trump summit
-
Democrats consider impeachment drive against Defence Secretary Hegseth
-
Rail journey offers a slower route to a Berlin city break
-
Energy bill plan could use HMRC income data to target support
-
Arsenal control title race as Manchester United fall into bottom three
-
Business owner earning £6,000 a month tackles £70,000 debt
-
Suspected Krakow gunman dies after attack that killed six
-
Nvidia chief faces inquiry after disclosing affair with suspected Chinese agent
-
Carrick backs Dalot after hostile reception from Manchester United fans
-
Comet returns as online electrical marketplace 14 years after collapse
-
Retired Man Loses Money on Holiday Home as Market Stalls
-
Aston Villa Defy History With Rare Victory at Old Trafford
-
Govt to Accept ECMS Applications on Rolling Basis from July 2027
-
Democrats Face Criticism Over Social Security Reform Plans Amid Trust Fund Crisis
-
Opti Digital Launches NEXA, an AI-Powered Intelligence Layer
-
Stabbing Reported at Jamie Foxx’s Annual Halloween Party in Thousand Oaks
Leipzig star Nkunku gets first France call-up
RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku was one of two new faces included in the France squad by coach Didier Deschamps as the World Cup holders prepare for two friendly matches against African opposition later this month.
The 24-year-old Nkunku, formerly of Paris Saint-Germain, is one of the leading scorers in the German Bundesliga this season with 15 goals.
He had been tipped for a first call-up to the last France squad for their final World Cup qualifiers in November only to just miss out.
There was also a first call-up for Jonathan Clauss, the 29-year-old right wing-back who has been in outstanding form for Lens.
France play the Ivory Coast in Marseille on March 25 and then host South Africa in Lille four days later.
Les Bleus had already secured their spot at the World Cup in Qatar later this year but wanted to play warm-up matches while other nations take part in play-offs to try to qualify for the finals.
Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano is a high-profile absentee from the squad which features leading names like Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba and Karim Benzema.
The winners of the 2018 World Cup in Russia will find out their opponents at this year's tournament when the draw for the group stage takes place in Doha on April 1.
Neither the Ivory Coast nor South Africa made it through to the final qualifying play-offs in the African zone which take place at the end of this month.
France squad
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham United/ENG, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG), Mike Maignan (AC Milan/ITA)
Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Lens), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa/ENG), Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich/GER), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan/ITA), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Jules Kounde (Sevilla/ESP), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich/GER), Raphael Varane (Manchester United/ENG)
Midfielders: Matteo Guendouzi (Marseille, on loan from Arsenal/ENG), N'Golo Kante (Chelsea/ENG), Paul Pogba (Manchester United/ENG), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus/ITA), Aurelien Tchouameni (Monaco)
Forwards: Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/ESP), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich/GER), Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid/ESP, on loan from Barcelona/ESP), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig/GER)
G.Schulte--BTB