Serie A players Diouf and Da Cunha could get France debuts
MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 08: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid is challenged by Andy Diouf of Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Real Madrid C.F. and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 08, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Inter player Andy Diouf and Como midfielder Lucas Da Cunha could get their senior France debuts from the start against Belgium in the same Nations League group as Italy.
Les Bleus made their first appearance under new coach Zinedine Zidane in last night’s 1-0 victory away to Turkiye, with a goal from Kylian Mbappé.
Their next match is on Monday evening in Brussels against Belgium, who are fresh from a 2-0 win over Italy.
Diouf and Da Cunha hope for France opportunity
According to L’Equipe, there will be a lot of squad rotation for this fixture, including debuts for two Serie A players.
Versatile Inter figure Diouf is viewed as a potential left-back for France, despite largely playing on the right side of a five-man midfield at San Siro for his club.
As for Da Cunha, the midfielder first joined Como when they were in Serie B and has seen them progress all the way to the Champions League.
His ability to play in a three-man midfield is seemingly a rarity in the current France squad, so Zidane wants to test him out in the starting XI with Belgium.
Kylian Mbappé has already left the squad after sustaining a knee injury, so the Real Madrid striker will miss the Nations League clash with Italy on October 2.
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