Allez Les Bleus: A look at the France squads
Ahead of a pair of matches for both the French senior side and their U-21 counterparts, we look at the Ligue 1 McDonald's representation in the squads.
Senior team: Zaïre-Emery, Barcola return
Ahead of a pair of matches against Ukraine and Azerbaijan in World Cup qualifying, Didier Deschamps has brought in seven players from France's top flight, including a return for Florian Thauvin, a late replacement for the injured Randal Kolo Muani. But while Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué will both miss out with injury, two Parisians are back in the squad.
Bradley Barcola returns after missing the last set of games through injury, while Warren Zaïre-Emery is back after playing for the U-21s in the last break. Between his play for Les Espoirs in October and a run of impressive displays with the Ligue 1 leaders, his return is well deserved.
Solide comme un 𝐫𝐨𝐜(her) 🪨#FiersDEtreLensois #ASMRCL pic.twitter.com/rNzO0wAnza
— Racing Club de Lens (@RCLens) November 10, 2025
U-21s: Risser to the fore for Les Espoirs?
Despite RC Lens having been the surprise package of the Ligue 1 McDonald's season, Robin Risser has had little of the credit. Despite arriving in the summer from RC Strasbourg after strong play on loan, the exploits of the team's veteran attackers (Thauvin, Odsonnne Édouard and Adrien Thomasson), have garnered more attention. Even at the back, where Le Sang et Or have the joint-top defence in the division, Samson Baidoo and the resurgent Malang Sarr have earned the lion's share of the plaudits.
Could this international break -- coming as it does after a fine penalty save at the weekend -- allow him to come to the fore that much more? With the regular starter, Toulouse FC's Guillaume Restes, out with injury, Risser is expected to start against Switzerland in what grades out as Les Espoirs' toughest match of qualifying. Elsewhere in the side, Herba Guirassy (FC Nantes) and Senny Mayulu (PSG) will look to win their first caps at this level after impressing with their early-season play.
