Liverpool Striker Ekitike Joins France Squad After Cherki Injury

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike has received his first call-up to the French national team, replacing the injured Manchester City forward Rayan Cherki, who is sidelined for approximately two months with a torn left quadriceps. Ekitike impressed with a strong start at Liverpool, scoring three goals in his first three competitive games since transferring from Eintracht Frankfurt, and had previously excelled at the Under-21 level for France with five goals in five appearances. Despite being initially omitted from Didier Deschamps' squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland, Ekitike's recent form warranted his inclusion as a late replacement. The French squad faces further injury concerns with key players like Ousmane Dembele, William Saliba, and Ibrahima Konate also dealing with fitness issues ahead of the qualifiers. Deschamps has struggled to find a consistent No. 9 since Olivier Giroud's international retirement, making Ekitike's emergence timely. France will play Ukraine in Poland on September 5 and Iceland in Paris on September 9 in their opening World Cup qualifying matches.