Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta has received his first senior France call-up ahead of this month’s World Cup qualifiers, Afrosport reports.
The 28-year-old, who has four goals in 10 games this season, has been a key figure in Palace’s impressive run and previously represented France at youth level, scoring three goals in 11 Under-21 appearances.
After five years without an international invitation, he returned to the spotlight at the Paris 2024 Olympics as one of three overage players. He scored five goals in six games, helping France to a silver medal.
France head coach Didier Deschamps has also recalled Christopher Nkunku, while Kylian Mbappe, Kingsley Coman, Hugo Ekitike and Bradley Barcola join Mateta in attack.
Michael Olise, Eduardo Camavinga, Manu Kone, Khephren Thuram and Adrien Rabiot headline the midfield options. Lucas and Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba and Jules Kounde make up the defensive core, with Mike Maignan and Lucas Chevalier named as goalkeepers.
💙 They’ll be wearing the France shirt for the upcoming October international window! Here is Didier Deschamps’ squad list 📋
Notably, a first call-up for Jean-Philippe Mateta 🫡#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/8swaDJgtqu
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) October 2, 2025
Les Bleus sit top of Group D after two wins last month. They host Azerbaijan on Friday, 10 October, before travelling to Iceland three days later.
