Maghnes Akliouche earns first France call-up as Deschamps names squad for September World Cup qualifying window
Maghnes Akliouche, the attacking midfielder trained at La Diagonale, has been called up by Didier Deschamps for the France national team during the September international break, marking his first appearance with Les Bleus. He becomes the 73rd Monégasque to wear the French jersey, following Axel Disasi as the latest to achieve the milestone.
The Monaco academy product enjoyed a standout season, tallying 12 goals and 7 assists in all competitions and already finding the net against Le Havre this season. A silver medalist at the 2024 Olympics, Akliouche now has two opportunities to make his France debut in the World Cup qualifying window: against Ukraine on Friday, September 5, and against Iceland on Tuesday, September 9.
Daghe Maghnes!
What this means and added context
– Akliouche’s selection highlights the continued pipeline from Monaco’s academy and young French talents thriving in Ligue 1 who can push into the national team setup.
– The two-match window will test his readiness at the international level and offer him a chance to join a midfield group that Deschamps is rotating to maintain depth ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
– For Akliouche, it’s a pivotal step in his career after a productive season and Olympic success, expanding his role from a standout domestic performer to a potential regular in the national team.
Summary
Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche has earned his first France call-up for the September World Cup qualifying clash lineup, representing a significant milestone for the player and continuing the trend of Monégasque players contributing to Les Bleus. Look for him to make his international bow either against Ukraine or Iceland as France bids to kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign. Positive sign for his development and for the broader pool of French midfield options.