UEFA Nations League

Boubacar Kamara, William Saliba handed France call-ups for Nations League

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 19 May 2022

Kamara, Saliba handed France call-ups for Nations League

Marseille's Boubacar Kamara earns a first senior call-up as Didier Deschamps announces his France squad for June's Nations League fixtures.

Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara has been handed his first call-up to the France national team for June's Nations League fixtures.

The 22-year-old has manned the Olympiens' midfield during their bid to qualify for the Champions League and has also captained the side on a number of occasions under Jorge Sampaoli.

Kamara has now been rewarded with a call-up to the Bleus senior squad for the very first time, while Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year William Saliba joins him after making his international debut earlier this year.

However, there is no place in Didier Deschamps's squad for Olivier Giroud, in spite of the AC Milan forward scoring nine goals and setting up four more in 28 Serie A appearances for the title-chasing Rossoneri.

Paul Pogba is also overlooked after sustaining a season-ending calf injury with Manchester United last month, and Ibrahima Konate - who could still represent Mali at senior level - misses out despite his strong showings for Liverpool.

France will come up against Denmark, Austria and Croatia in League A Group 1 of the 2022-23 Nations League and will kick off their campaign against the former at the Stade de France on June 3.

FRANCE SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Alphonse Areola (West Ham United)

Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Jules Kounde (Sevilla), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), Raphael Varane (Manchester United), Jonathan Clauss (Lens), William Saliba (Marseille)