

Liverpool Star Hugo Ekitike Snubbed by Deschamps for France’s World Cup Squad!
Hugo Ekitike’s France Snub Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers
Liverpool centre-forward Hugo Ekitike is not expected to be named in Didier Deschamps’ France squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, according to a report from Le Figaro.
France will face Ukraine on September 5 at Wroclaw’s Stadium in Poland, before hosting Iceland at Paris’ Parc des Princes on September 9.
Despite Ekitike’s blazing start at Liverpool, Deschamps looks set to overlook the 23-year-old striker in favor of more experienced options.
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Didier Deschamps to Announce France Squad
France manager Didier Deschamps will officially announce his squad this Wednesday at 2 pm CET at the French FA headquarters in Paris.
Ekitike, who has impressed under Arne Slot’s Liverpool with three goals in his first three Premier League games, was widely expected to be in contention. However, Deschamps’ staff reportedly feels it is “too soon” for the young striker’s first senior international call-up.
Why Hugo Ekitike Missed Out Despite Liverpool Form
Although Ekitike’s form is undeniable, Deschamps is believed to be prioritizing stability. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just months away, France cannot afford experimentation in their attack.
Deschamps already has a wealth of attacking options, including:
- Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
- Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)
- Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)
- Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)
- Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
- Désiré Doué (PSG)
- Bradley Barcola (PSG)
This depth makes it difficult for Ekitike to break into the squad at this stage.
What This Means for Hugo Ekitike
Missing out on this call-up is certainly disappointing for the Liverpool forward, but at just 23 years old, Hugo Ekitike still has plenty of time to break into the France national team.
If he continues his strong goal-scoring form in the Premier League, Deschamps may find it hard to ignore him for future tournaments, including Euro 2028 qualifiers.
For now, French fans will have to wait to see whether Ekitike can prove himself as a long-term solution for Les Bleus’ frontline.
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