Didier Deschamps has recalled N’Golo Kante to the France squad for the first time in a year, hailing the veteran midfielder as “still at his best.” The 34-year-old Al-Ittihad star has impressed with his consistency in Saudi Arabia and will feature in Les Bleus’ crucial World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Azerbaijan this month.

France national team head coach Didier Deschamps refrained from sparking further controversy while addressing the recent injury suffered by Paris Saint-Germain forward and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele. Deschamps claimed that he is "especially sad" to see Dembele's fitness struggles drag on, but added that he won't "add fuel to the fire" amid Les Blues' ongoing feud with PSG.

France were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw against Iceland in what turned out to be a trickier World Cup qualifying away trip than many expected it to be. Following the game, head coach Didier Deschamps explained his unhappiness with the officiating, claiming that midfielder Manu Kone was fouled in the build up to the hosts' opening goal in the first half.

Kylian Mbappe limped off the pitch late on during France’s clash with Azerbaijan and will now miss Les Bleus’ World Cup qualifier with Iceland after he was sent back to Real Madrid to recover. Mbappe scored a stunner at the Parc des Princes, but scenes towards the end left fans of Real Madrid and France waiting anxiously for test result updates on the injured ankle.

Kylian Mbappe’s stunning solo goal helped France ease to a comfortable 3-0 victory and take another giant step towards qualifying for next years’ World Cup with victory over Azerbaijan in Paris. Adrien Rabiot and Florian Thauvin were also on target, but there were worrying scenes towards the end as talisman Mbappe signalled to come off with what looked like an ankle injury.