France head coach, Zinedine Zidane, has confirmed Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe as his captain after naming his first squad since taking over from Didier Deschamps.
Mbappe led France during the World Cup, where he finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with 10 goals.
France, however, were eliminated in the semi-finals by eventual champions Spain.
Deschamps’ 14-year spell in charge ended after the tournament, with his biggest achievement coming in 2018 when he guided France to World Cup glory.
Zidane, who played alongside Deschamps in France’s successful 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 campaigns, was appointed as his successor in July on a four-year contract.
The former Ballon d’Or winner will begin his tenure in competitive action with the UEFA Nations League.
France are scheduled to visit Turkey next Friday before travelling to Brussels to face Belgium on September 28.
Zidane’s first home match will be against Italy at the Stade de France on October 2, followed by another home meeting with Belgium three days later.
The 54-year-old coach has also introduced several new players to the squad.
Liverpool defender Jeremy Jacquet, 21, earned his first selection following his performances since joining the Premier League side during the close season.
Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul, who finished as Ligue 1’s top scorer last season, has also received his first call-up, while Como midfielder Lucas Da Cunha is included.
Inter Milan midfielder or wing-back Andy Diouf and Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes are the other new additions.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and Inter forward Marcus Thuram, who featured at the World Cup, were left out, while Arsenal defender William Saliba misses the squad through injury.
Zidane retired from international football in 2006 after being sent off for headbutting Marco Materazzi during France’s World Cup final defeat to Italy on penalties.
