Zinedine Zidane’s first France shortlist includes 50 players

France’s provisional squad has attracted significant attention this week after several of the players being considered for Zinedine Zidane’s first squad were revealed. The final selection is due to be announced officially next Friday.

According to French newspaper L’Equipe, the preliminary list contains a number of relatively unexpected names, including Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul, Paris FC player Pablo Pagis and Lens defender Ismailo Ganiou.

However, inclusion on the initial list does not guarantee a place in the final squad, which will take part in the next Nations League fixtures. France are scheduled to face Turkiye on 25 September, Belgium on 28 September, Italy on 2 October and Belgium again on 5 October.

The provisional squad contains about 50 players. This is not a new procedure, as national associations are required to inform clubs of the players included roughly 15 days before the official squad is announced.

All of those players remain eligible for selection, but L’Equipe noted that there is a significant difference between appearing on the preliminary list and actually joining up with the national team at Clairefontaine.

Even so, the lists are important to players because they show that the coaching staff are monitoring them and taking an interest in their performances. For some, inclusion can also suggest that a first senior France call-up may be approaching.

“One of the agents said: “Clubs sometimes stop informing the player after several preliminary call-ups. Then the day comes when the invitation becomes an actual call-up, without anyone expecting it.”

The information is sent to clubs primarily to help them organise the international break. Clubs are free to decide whether or not to pass it on to the players concerned.

A Ligue 1 official explained: “The letters from the associations are dealt with by the team manager or the secretariat. If a player is used to being included in preliminary squads, we do not tell him. Generally, we only pass on the information when it is the first time, especially if the player asks before every international break.”

Surprises can still occur on the day the final squad is announced. Another agent said: “Yes, that has happened with several players I represent. There are also players who are always included in the preliminary list but are never called up. That is common because the preliminary lists do not change much. Clubs sometimes stop giving players the information after repeated preliminary selections, and then one day the initial invitation suddenly becomes a genuine call-up.”

In all cases, L’Equipe concluded that appearing in a France preliminary squad for the first time remains an important indication that a player has entered the coaching staff’s field of interest, even if it does not immediately lead to an official selection.