Mateta Earns First France Call-Up

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has received his first senior France call-up for World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan (hosted at the Parc des Princes on Oct. 10) and Iceland (Oct. 13). Mateta has four goals in 10 appearances this season as Palace remain unbeaten in the Premier League, and he previously starred for France at youth level and at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Coach Didier Deschamps said Mateta’s profile and goalscoring knack earned him selection amid absences to regular forwards Ousmane Dembélé, Marcus Thuram and Désiré Doué. Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike kept his place despite a recent injury concern, while AC Milan’s Christopher Nkunku was recalled. France sit top of Group D with six points, and Deschamps added that Paul Pogba is progressing in fitness but still has steps to take before a possible return.