Despite getting his Liverpool career off to a scorching start, striker Hugo Ekitike hasn’t been named in France’s squad for upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The 23 year old player wasn’t included in Didier Deschamps’ 23 man squad that is scheduled to take on Ukraine on September 5 and Iceland on September 9.
After securing a six year contract with Liverpool following his lucrative move (80 million Euros that could rise to 95 million Euros should he meet certain clauses), former Eintracht Frankfurt striker Ekitike has scored three goals in three games for the Reds including Liverpool’s pulsating 3-2 win over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.
However, AS Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche was handed a surprise call up and is part of a group of forwards that includes the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Marcus Thuram, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola.
Arsenal’s William Saliba and Ibrahim Konate lead the defenders called up by Deschamps with the unit including Lucas Hernandez and his twin brother Theo Hernandez. Scroll down to view the full list of players invited to France’s squad
