Como goalkeeper Jean Butez earns first France call-up

Jean Butez has been called up to the France squad for the first time after Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser was withdrawn because of a physical problem.

The 31-year-old Como goalkeeper has been added to the squad selected by manager Zinedine Zidane, giving him his first opportunity to represent the France senior team.

Zidane named his initial squad on Friday, including several players from Serie A such as Mike Maignan, Manu Kone and Adrien Rabiot. The selection also featured first call-ups for Inter player Andy Diouf and Como midfielder Lucas Da Cunha.

Butez now joins the group as cover for Risser. He played in all 38 of Como’s Serie A matches last season and helped the club qualify for the Champions League for the first time in its history.

The goalkeeper has featured in four of Como’s five Serie A matches this season. He also played in the club’s first-ever Champions League fixture earlier this month, when Como beat RB Leipzig 4-1.

France are scheduled to face Turkey on 25 September, Belgium on 28 September, Italy on 2 October and Belgium again on 5 October.

Zidane’s first squad was announced for France’s European Nations Cup matches. Alongside the newcomers, several players have returned to the international set-up.

Jeremy Jacquet of Liverpool and Lucas Da Cunha of Como were included for the first time. Adrien Truffert of Bournemouth returned after a four-year absence from the France squad, while Andy Diouf was recalled after last appearing for the national team in 2024.

Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid also returned after missing France’s 2026 World Cup campaign.

Zidane took charge after Didier Deschamps left the role at the end of the 2026 World Cup, which was staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Zidane is set to remain France manager until the 2030 World Cup.

France were eliminated from that tournament after losing 2-0 to Spain in the semi-finals. They then suffered a 6-4 defeat by England in the third-place play-off.

Spain went on to win the 2026 World Cup, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal against Argentina in the final.