Jean-Philippe Mateta has been called up to the France squad for World Cup qualifying matches against Azerbaijan and Iceland this month, recognising his excellent form with Crystal Palace.
The 28-year-old has scored four goals in 10 games across all competitions this season for a Palace team that remains unbeaten in the Premier League, currently sitting third in the table.
Mateta netted 17 goals in all competitions last season for the south London club and has scored 32 times in the Premier League since the start of the 2023/24 campaign.
Having represented France at Under-21 level, Mateta shone for Thierry Henry’s side at the 2024 Paris Olympics, scoring five goals in six matches to help secure a silver medal. However, this marks his first call-up
to the senior team by coach Didier Deschamps.
“I like his profile,” Deschamps said of Mateta. “He is not so young but he played for almost all of the different teams at youth level. He has the ability to score goals.”
Mateta, along with recalled AC Milan forward Christopher Nkunku, benefits from the injuries of Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Desire Doue.
Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram, who has only two goals in 31 international appearances and none in almost two years, is also out injured.
Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki, who debuted for France in June, is missing due to recent injuries.
Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike and Maghnes Akliouche of Monaco retain their places after debuting last month.
In midfield, Aurelien Tchouameni’s suspension has opened the door for the return of his Real Madrid colleague Eduardo Camavinga, who has not played for France since March.
Les Bleus, World Cup winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, lead Group D with six points after their victories last month against Ukraine and Iceland.
Wins against Azerbaijan at home in Paris on Friday, October 10, and in Iceland three days later could secure France’s top spot and qualification for the World Cup with two games to spare, provided other results are favourable.
France squad
Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (Paris Saint-Germain), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Rennes)
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (Paris Saint-Germain), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Manu Kone (Roma), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Khephren Thuram (Juventus)
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Kingsley Coman (Al-Nassr), Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Christopher Nkunku (AC Milan)
