Jean-Philippe Mateta Received First France National Team Senior Call-Up
Jean-Philippe Mateta has earned his first France senior call-up for the World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Iceland, thanks to his outstanding performance with Crystal Palace.
Jean-Philippe Mateta has been in top form, scoring 17 goals in all competitions last season for Crystal Palace...
Jean-Philippe Mateta has been handed his first senior call-up to the France national team for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Iceland. The 28-year-old Crystal Palace striker has been rewarded for his excellent form, scoring four goals in 10 games across all competitions this season.
Mateta's impressive performances for Crystal Palace have caught the attention of France coach Didier Deschamps. The team is currently unbeaten in the Premier League, sitting third in the table. Mateta's goal-scoring ability and profile have impressed Deschamps, who believes he has a good chance to succeed in the national team.
France will host Azerbaijan at the Parc des Princes on October 10, followed by an away match against Iceland three days later. With six points from their first two qualifying matches, France leads Group D and could secure qualification for the World Cup with two games to spare, depending on other results.
Jean-Philippe Mateta has been in top form, scoring 17 goals in all competitions last season for Crystal Palace, a south London club. He's netted 32 times in the Premier League since the start of the 2023/24 campaign, showcasing his exceptional skills as a forward.
Mateta has represented France at the Under-21 level and shone at the 2024 Paris Olympics, scoring five goals in six matches under Thierry Henry's guidance. Although France took the silver medal, Mateta's performance caught the attention of the football world.
After his impressive performances, Mateta has finally received his first senior call-up to the French national team under coach Didier Deschamps. This call-up comes as Deschamps faces several selection dilemmas due to injuries to key players like Ousmane Dembélé and Marcus Thuram. Mateta's inclusion is a testament to his hard work and talent, and he'll don the France jersey for the upcoming matches against Azerbaijan and Iceland.
“I like his profile,” Deschamps said when asked about 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.”
Jean-Philippe Mateta and AC Milan forward Christopher Nkunku have been called up to the France squad due to injuries to key players. Ousmane Dembele, the Ballon d'Or winner and Paris Saint-Germain forward, suffered a hamstring injury during France's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine, which could keep him sidelined for up to eight weeks. Dembele's injury is a significant blow to France's chances, given his impressive form this season.
Dembele's teammate, Desire Doue, is also out with a calf injury, expected to miss around four weeks. This injury forced Doue out of the game against Ukraine at halftime, and he won't be available for France's upcoming matches. Meanwhile, Marcus Thuram of Inter Milan, who has struggled to find form with only two goals in 31 international appearances and none in almost two years, is also sidelined due to injury.
Rayan Cherki, the Manchester City player who made his France debut in June, won't be part of the squad due to recent injuries. Cherki's absence adds to France's challenges in finding the right combination of players for their upcoming matches. With these injuries, France coach Didier Deschamps faces tough decisions in selecting his team for the World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Iceland.
Hugo Ekitike from Liverpool and Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche retain their spots in the France squad after making their debuts last month. Eduardo Camavinga returns to the midfield lineup alongside Aurelien Tchouameni's suspension. Camavinga, a Real Madrid teammate of Tchouameni, hasn't played for France since March.
Les Bleus, the 2018 World Cup winners and 2022 runners-up, lead Group D with six points after beating Ukraine and Iceland in their first two qualifying matches. With victories at home against Azerbaijan on October 10 and away in Iceland three days later, France could secure top spot and World Cup qualification with two games to spare, depending on other results.
💙 They’ll be wearing the France shirt for the upcoming October international window! Here is Didier Deschamps’ squad list 📋
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) October 2, 2025
Notably, a first call-up for Jean-Philippe Mateta 🫡#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/8swaDJgtqu
Upcoming Matches
France's upcoming fixtures are crucial in determining their qualification fate. They'll face Azerbaijan at the Parc des Princes in Paris on October 10, followed by a challenging away match in Iceland on October 13.
France squad
Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier, Mike Maignan, Brice Samba
Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga, Manu Kone, Michael Olise, Adrien Rabiot, Khephren Thuram
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Kingsley Coman, Hugo Ekitike, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappe, Christopher Nkunku
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