PARIS, France, March 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Kylian Mbappe, who has only just returned to action after a knee injury, will lead the France squad into friendly matches this month against Brazil and Colombia in the United States.

Coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday included the Real Madrid superstar in his squad for the games, after Mbappe appeared off the bench for his club in the Champions League win against Manchester City earlier this week.

The France captain had missed his club's previous five matches, but is likely to lead the line for his country against Brazil in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on March 26 and Colombia, near Washington DC, three days later.

Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike and Manchester City's Rayan Cherki are among the other attacking players included by Deschamps, while goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier makes the squad despite losing his place at Paris Saint-Germain.

The friendly matches are the last before Deschamps names his squad for the World Cup on May 13.

Les Bleus are in Group I at the tournament with Senegal, Norway and a play-off winner whose identity will be determined this month.

France squad

Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (Paris Saint-Germain), Mike Maignan (AC Milan/ITA), Brice Samba (Rennes)

Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa/ENG), Malo Gusto (Chelsea/ENG), Lucas Hernandez (Paris Saint-Germain), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal/KSA), Pierre Kalulu (Juventus/ITA), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool/ENG), William Saliba (Arsenal/ENG)

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid/ESP), N'Golo Kante (Fenerbahce/TUR), Manu Kone (Roma/ITA), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan/ITA), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid/ESP), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)

Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City/ENG), Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue (both Paris Saint-Germain), Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool/ENG), Randal Kolo Muani (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid/ESP), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/GER), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan/ITA)