France Nations League squad: Badiashile, Fofana and Kolo Muani included for first time, Dembele and Giroud return

France manager Didier Deschamps has released the squad for Nations League games against Austria and Denmark.

The Les Bleus boss has handed maiden call-ups to AS Monaco duo Benoit Badiashile and Youssouf Fofana and Eintracht Frankfurt’s highly-rated forward Randal Kolo Muani.

Badiashile and Fofana have been prominent fixtures for Monaco over the last few seasons, while Muani has set the Bundesliga alight since moving from Nantes this summer.

The 23-year-old has carried on his impressive form with Frankfurt, netting two goals and four assists this season.

Muani will be in the company of elite forwards, including Christopher Nkunku, Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Olivier Giroud, with the latter two making a return on the back of excellent club form.

Dembele has revived his career at Barcelona under the leadership of Xavi, providing the second most assists (15) in 2022 behind Lionel Messi.

Giroud continues to be a key figure for AC Milan, who he helped win Serie A title last season.

France Squad

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

Defenders: Benoit Badiashile (Monaco), Jonathan Clauss (Marseille), Theo Hernandez (Milan), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Raphael Varane (Manchester United).

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Matteo Guendouzi (Marseille), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid).

Forwards: Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Randal Kolo Muani (Eintracht Frankfurt), Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig).