France’s New Face to Solve Deschamps’ Dilemma
2 octobre 2025
New Face Takes Center Stage as France Seeks to Solve Deschamps’ Dilemma
France head coach Didier Deschamps has summoned a fresh face to the Les Bleus squad for the October international window, signaling a strategic reset as the 2026 World Cup qualifying push heats up.
Les Bleus will play two matches in October: hosting Azerbaijan and then traveling to Iceland, as part of the European qualifying campaign for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
France, two-time world champions (1998, 2018), sit top of Group 4 with six points from two wins, and victory in October fixtures would seal automatic qualification for the 2026 finals.
Deschamps has named Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, 28, as the latest new face in the France squad.
This selection comes amid a tight attack options pool, with several regular starters sidelined by injuries. Deschamps explained that Mateta’s call-up reflects his goal-scoring ability and experience rather than mere youth pedigree.
“I’m a big admirer of Mateta’s qualities. He isn’t a youngster; he has proven himself at club level and in youth national teams,” he said at a press conference. “Mateta is like many players—potentially one breakthrough moment away from a full cap.” He added that the coach and his staff will decide the best options to cover the absences.
The October squad lists 23 players in total, including Kylian Mbappe and Hugo Ekitike, with others like Dembele, Doy, Marcus Thuram and Rayan Cherki absent due to injuries. Randal Kolo Muani remains among the options but is not fully match-fit with his new club.
Deschamps confirmed that Mateta’s inclusion is mainly a response to current attacking shortages, even though Mbappe remains in the fold alongside Ekitike.
The France squad for October camp
The France squad includes 23 players, with goalkeeper choices Lucas Chevalier (Paris Saint-Germain), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), and Brice Samba (Rennes). The defensive line features a mix of seasoned internationals and emerging talents, while the midfield blends experience with youth, and the attacking department looks for a balance between proven scorers and fresh arrivals.
Camavinga returns to replace Chouameni after a two-match European ban for a red card, and Saliba regains a spot over Pavard. The list underscores a blend of veterans and newcomers ready to answer the call.
Who is Jean-Philippe Mateta?
Born on June 28, 1997, Mateta is of Congolese descent and began his career at Châteauroux, progressing through the youth ranks before making his first-team debut. He joined Lyon in 2017, spent a loan spell at Le Havre, then moved to Mainz in Germany for €8 million. After two-and-a-half seasons, he joined Crystal Palace on loan in January 2021 and made the move permanent in 2022 for €11 million.
Mateta has represented France at youth levels and contributed to the country’s Olympic silver medal run in Paris 2024, scoring four goals in the tournament run. This season he has four goals in ten appearances for Palace, rounding out a career tally that includes 6 goals in 16 games for Lyon II, 16 in 27 for Châteauroux, 20 in 38 for Le Havre, 27 in 71 for Mainz, and 50 in 162 for Crystal Palace overall.
In his career, Mateta has also shown a knack for stepping up at big moments, a quality Deschamps hinted at when explaining the selection. He is not merely a hopeful rookie but a striker with a track record that could complement France’s options during a challenging qualifying campaign.
Punchlines
Punchline 1: If Mateta finds the back of the net, France might finally discover a weapon that doesn’t require a referee to give it a standing ovation. Punchline 2: Deschamps may have unearthed a player who can turn a tough schedule into a walk in the park—just as long as the attackers don’t forget to bring the goals along for the ride.
