France call up Saël Kumbedi to replace injured Pierre Kalulu

France head coach Zinedine Zidane has called up VfL Wolfsburg defender, who has DR Congo roots Saël Kumbedi to replace the injured Pierre Kalulu ahead of the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Italy and Turkey.

The Juventus defender, who also has DR Congo roots had initially been included in Zidane’s squad for the international break but will now miss the two matches as he continues his recovery at club level.

Kumbedi, 21, has consequently received an opportunity to join the senior national team, marking a significant step in his international career after previously representing France at Under-21 level.

The right-back has been enjoying regular playing time at Wolfsburg, where he has established himself as an important member of Tobias Strobl’s side since the beginning of the 2026/27 campaign.

Despite competing in the German second division, Kumbedi has impressed with his consistency, starting eight of the nine matches he has featured in so far this season.

His performances have earned him recognition from Zidane, who has opted to bring him into the senior setup following Kalulu’s unfortunate injury setback.

Kumbedi joined Wolfsburg permanently from French side Olympique Lyonnais in January 2026 and has since made 36 appearances for the German outfit, providing five assists.

During the previous campaign, the defender made 27 appearances across all competitions as Wolfsburg endured a difficult season that ended with their relegation to the 2. Bundesliga.

Before moving to Germany, Kumbedi developed his footballing career in France, having progressed through the youth ranks at Le Havre before making his breakthrough at Lyon.

At international level, he has represented France at Under-21 level, earning nine caps and gaining valuable experience in the country’s youth national team setup.

His latest call-up presents an opportunity to make an impression on Zidane and potentially compete for a place in France’s defensive plans beyond the current international window.

Meanwhile, Kalulu’s absence is a setback for France, particularly given his growing importance under Zidane. The Juventus defender has earned five senior international caps and had already started twice under the French manager, featuring against Belgium and Italy.

France will now prepare for their Nations League assignments against Italy and Türkiye with Kumbedi added to the squad as they seek to maintain their momentum during Zidane’s second international camp in charge.