France coach Zidane picks 5 new faces in first squad and calls time on Benzema, Kante

PARIS (AP) — Zinedine Zidane started building the France team of the future by picking several new faces on Friday when naming his first squad since taking charge.

Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul, Liverpool center back Jeremy Jacquet, Como midfielder Lucas Da Cunha, Inter Milan's Andy Diouf and Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes are set for their debuts in upcoming Nations League games.

“They are players who deserve to be here, players I want to see," coach Zidane said Friday at the French soccer federation’s headquarters. “Everyone will be involved.”

France plays in Turkey on Sept. 25 and Belgium three days later, then hosts Italy on Oct. 2 and Belgium on Oct. 5.

“What inspires me is the game," Zidane said. "I want to see these players and this team playing."

The 21-year-old Jacquet has made a solid start since joining Liverpool from Rennes in the offseason in a deal worth a reported 70 million euros ($80 million).

“I like his profile a lot," Zidane said. “I’ve followed him for a long time because he played alongside my son in the youth teams.”

Diouf plays in midfield for his club but Zidane is adamant he won't for France.

“He plays in a different way for Inter Milan," Zidane said. “I want to see him playing left back.”

Lepaul scored 20 league goals for Rennes last season and has netted three in four games in this campaign, including one against defending champion Paris Saint-Germain in the opening game, when he stood out.

“He has a different profile from what we’re used to seeing,” Zidane said. “I like this kind of player who can play in tight spaces, he scores goals. I want to see him up close.”

After being rejected by Lyon’s prestigious academy, Lepaul played in the lower leagues with Épinal and Orléans before making his Ligue 1 breakthrough three years ago after Angers snapped him up for just 150,000 euros ($173,000).

Zidane also recalled Adrien Truffert, whose only cap came four years ago. Fullback was one of France's weaker positions at this year's World Cup.

“Choosing Andy (Diouf) and Truffert is a strong choice," Zidane said. “They are capable of playing in this position.”

Zidane ruled out a return for 38-year-old forward Karim Benzema and turned the page on 35-year-old midfielder N’Golo Kante’s international career.

“To help this team evolve. It's nothing to do with his quality, he's an extraordinary player, magnificent," Zidane said of Kante, who won the World Cup in 2018. "But these are choices. N’Golo is 35 and I have made choices, which are different.”

Zidane was close to Benzema when he coached him at Real Madrid. But he decided against a recall for the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner, who has not played for Les Bleus since leaving the World Cup four years ago because of injury.

“I adore Karim. But he’s a certain age, a bit like N’Golo," Zidane said. “I need to see younger players and what we will do together.”

Unlike other nations who picked larger squads, like Germany's whopping 44 players, Zidane stayed with a 23-player format.

“I didn't want to see players sitting in the stands,” Zidane said, explaining why he chose not to select more outfield players.

Zidane led Les Bleus to glory at the 1998 World Cup and the European Championship two years later.

“I have a great bond with this team,” he said.

His last game for France was in the 2006 World Cup final, when he scored a Panenka-style penalty early on but was sent off in extra time for headbutting Italy defender Marco Materazzi in the chest.

Zidane replaced Didier Deschamps after the World Cup.

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Coach of the France national soccer team, Zinedine Zidane, attends a media conference at the headquarters of French Football Federation headquarters to unveil the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League, in Paris, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Coach of the France national soccer team, Zinedine Zidane, attends a media conference at the headquarters of French Football Federation headquarters to unveil the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League, in Paris, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Coach of the France national soccer team, Zinedine Zidane, attends a media conference at the headquarters of French Football Federation headquarters to unveil the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League, in Paris, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Coach of the France national soccer team, Zinedine Zidane, attends a media conference at the headquarters of French Football Federation headquarters to unveil the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League, in Paris, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The New York Jets ruled out safety Minkah Fitzpatrick ahead of their home opener Sunday against Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers' formidable pass-heavy offense.

Coach Aaron Glenn announced Friday that Fitzpatrick, who is dealing with a groin injury suffered on the Jets' sixth defensive play of their win at Tennessee, would sit out against Green Bay, as expected, along with edge rusher Joseph Ossai (foot), rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (ankle) and running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu (back).

Glenn had said earlier in the week that all four are “week to week” with their injuries.

Fitzpatrick's absence is particularly notable this week with the Jets facing the Packers after Love threw for 387 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in a 39-22 loss at Minnesota last Sunday. Green Bay had a fourth-quarter collapse en route to its sixth straight defeat, dating to last season, but the offense showed early it can be productive.

Meanwhile, the Jets are still looking for their first interception since the 2024 season finale, an NFL-record drought of 18 games.

“We know it’s going to be a challenge, our guys know it’s going to be a challenge, coaching staff knows it’s going to be a challenge, but that’s how this league is, and we understand that,” Glenn said. “Every week it’s something new and you never know how these games are going to turn out. So we’re excited to go out and put up a good showing at our first home game of this year for our fans.”

Andre Cisco, a starter last season, is expected to see playing time in Fitzpatrick’s absence opposite Dane Belton.

New York's secondary did get some good news as rookie cornerback D'Angelo Ponds, a second-round pick, is in line to make his NFL debut. Ponds missed nearly all of training camp and the season opener with a calf injury.

The former Indiana standout could have a major role in the defense as part of the nickel package.

“Our trainers have done an outstanding job of getting him ready to go and he’s been in the meetings, so he’s understanding exactly what we’re doing,” Glenn said. “The thing is, and I’ve always said this, just the time on task of actually out there doing it, that’s what’s somewhat different. We’ll see exactly how this week ends up and see how that goes.”

Cooper, a first-rounder, started last week and had a 30-yard catch-and-run to set up a touchdown on New York's opening drive, but he sprained an ankle and didn't return.

Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, Isaiah Williams and Arian Smith are the healthy wide receivers on the Jets' active roster, and Glenn said the team was still evaluating what it'll do at the position for the game. New York signed veterans Sterling Shepard and Tyler Johnson to the practice squad earlier this week, and one could be elevated Saturday to play against the Packers.

Jason Sanders will remain the Jets' kicker this week after bouncing back from a rough start in the opener.

The former Dolphins star was elevated from the practice squad and got the start at Tennessee ahead of Blake Grupe, who is on the active roster. Sanders made a 33-yard field goal in the second quarter but then missed badly on a 54-yard attempt.

He later made field goals of 51 and 52 yards and converted his two extra-point tries.

“I thought it was critical to see him go through that miss and then be able to come back and make, I think it was two 50-something yarders, which I thought was impressive,” Glenn said. “He did a good job and I like the way that he fought back ending up making those field goals.”

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Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws a pass under pressure from the Minnesota Vikings defense during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minn. (AP Photo/Bailey Hillesheim)

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn speaks to journalists following an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

FILE - New York Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) stands on the sideline prior to an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Stew Milne, File)