France suffer fresh blow as Marcus Thuram ruled out of Italy and Turkey matches

Zinedine Zidane has been dealt another injury setback after France confirmed that Marcus Thuram will miss the current international break.

The Inter Milan forward was recalled by the France head coach for the first time since he missed September’s international fixtures, but he will now be unavailable for the Nations League – Path 1 matches against Italy on Thursday and Turkey on Sunday.

Thuram injured his right hamstring during Inter’s 2-0 victory over Como on Sunday. He was unable to train with the France squad and remained under medical supervision, but his condition did not improve sufficiently for him to stay with the team.

The French medical staff have therefore authorised Thuram to return to his club. France will announce his replacement shortly.

France’s coaching staff said: “The coach has called up Eli Junior Kroupi (Bournemouth) to replace Marcus Thuram. He will join the national team this evening in Clairefontaine.”

The latest withdrawal adds to a growing list of absentees facing Zidane during the international window. Several key players are unavailable because of injuries, including William Saliba of Arsenal, Jules Kounde of Barcelona, Maxence Lacroix of Chelsea, Manu Kone of Roma, Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain and Esteban Lepaul of Rennes.

Defender Dayot Upamecano will also miss the meeting with Italy through suspension.

France had already been forced to make a change to their squad on Wednesday, when Pierre Kalulu of Juventus was ruled out because of injury. Zidane responded by calling up Wolfsburg defender Sinaly Diomande as his replacement.

France play Italy on 12 November 2026 in the Nations League – Path 1 before facing Turkey on Sunday. Thuram’s absence means Zidane must make another adjustment to his plans after the forward was initially brought back into the squad for the two fixtures.