France Nations League Squad: No Kylian Mbappe; Kante returns - Full List of Players, Schedule

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Kylian Mbappe has been left out of the France squad for their upcoming UEFA Nations League matches.

France will be playing in the Nations League A matches in the November international break, the last of this calendar year. They will host Israel on November 14, before travelling to play Italy on November 17.

Ahead of that, Didier Deschamps has named a strong squad, but decided to leave out Kylian Mbappe. The Real Madrid forward has made a modest start at the Spanish capital, and the manager has opted to leave him out.

This decision extends his absence to four games. Coach Didier Deschamps announced this on Thursday, without specifying if Mbappe was injured. He described the choice as a "one-off decision," mentioning that the 25-year-old was eager to join the team.

Mbappe's form has been under scrutiny since his transfer from Paris St Germain to Real Madrid during the close season. He missed two previous France games last month against Israel and Belgium.

Coach Deschamps clarified that his decision regarding Mbappe was specific to this set of matches. "I've had discussions with him, it is a decision that I took for this block of matches only," he stated at a press conference. "Kylian wanted to come."

Amid the absence of Mbappe, Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani will be the contenders to lead the line for Les Bleus. Arsenal defender William Saliba is also picked in the squad, whereas Aston Villa's Lucas Digne can make his 50th appearance if he plays a match.

N'Golo Kante has also returned to the France squad. The Al Nassr midfielder was left out of the October fixtures but is set to captain Les Bleus for the upcoming two matches.

France Squad for November Nations League Matches

Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier, Brice Samba, Mike Maignan

Defenders: Lucas Digne, Jules Kounde, Theo Hernandez, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Ibrahima Konate, Jonathan Clauss, Wesley Fofana

Midfielders: N'Golo Kante, Adrien Rabiot, Eduardo Camavinga, Matteo Guendouzi, Warren Zaire-Emery, Manu Kone

Forwards: Ousmane Dembele, Marcus Thuram, Randal Kolo Muani, Christopher Nkunku, Bradley Barcola, Michael Olise