France loses Pierre Kalulu through hamstring injury for matches against Italy and Turkey in UEFA Nations League

File photo: Pierre Kalulu battles it out with Italian defender Ricardo Calafiori in the reverse fixture in the UEFA Nations League. | Photo Credit: Reuters

France head into the international break, set to face Italy and Turkey in the UEFA Nations League group stage, but now will be without Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu.

Kalulu suffered a hamstring injury during the Serie A match against Fiorentina on Sunday but still completed the match. He has been a utility player for Luciano Spalletti and the Bianconeri, having played 90 minutes in every match so far, in different positions: centre-back, right-back and even right-mid

This injury will keep him out of both matches for France, as scans show that he has a tear in his left hamstring. The national team reports that Kalulu will stay in Turin to receive further treatment.

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This would have been the 6th and 7th cap for the Lyon-born defender if he had featured for the French team. He made his France debut under Didier Deschamps in June 2025; however, he did not make the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad. Kalulu made his return to the national side under Zinedine Zidane in the last international window.

Saël Kumbedi (Wolfsbourg) rejoint le groupe, en remplacement de Pierre Kalulu (lésion aux ischios du membre inférieur gauche) https://t.co/JjWVxF6sDI

— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) November 9, 2026

Kalulu has been replaced in the squad by Sael Kumbedi, the Wolfsburg defender; this will be Kumbedi’s first call-up to the national team.

France is currently on top of its group in the Nations League, with three wins in four, and needs just one more win against either Italy or Turkey to secure a quarterfinal berth.