### N'Golo Kanté's Return: A Key Move for France's World Cup Qualification N'Golo Kanté, the celebrated midfielder and 2018 World Cup champion, has been recalled to the French national team for the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Azerbaijan. This marks his return to the squad after a year-long absence, as he last played for France in November 2024. Currently playing for Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, Kanté's inclusion is seen as vital for France, who leads Group D and can secure their World Cup spot with a victory against Ukraine on November 13, followed by a match against Azerbaijan on November 16. Coach Didier Deschamps has also included other notable players like Kylian Mbappé and Randal Kolo Muani, despite facing injuries to key forwards [https://apnews.com/article/france-squad-kante-world-cup-qualifiers-0dbb49b8bae478c0963b4abef3da89da][https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/frances-deschamps-recalls-kante-kolo-muani-world-cup-qualifiers-5451066]. ### Breakdown of the French National Team's Strategy 1. **Kanté's Recall**: - N'Golo Kanté's return is a strategic move by Coach Didier Deschamps to bolster the midfield ahead of critical matches [https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/46870716/ngolo-kante-returns-france-squad-november-world-cup-qualifiers]. 2. **Squad Composition**: - The squad includes a mix of experienced players and emerging talents, with notable inclusions like Kylian Mbappé and Randal Kolo Muani, while also addressing injuries to key players [https://www.republicworld.com/sports/football/ngolo-kante-named-in-france-squad-ahead-of-key-world-cup-qualification-matches]. 3. **Upcoming Matches**: - France is set to face Ukraine on November 13 and Azerbaijan on November 16, with the potential to secure World Cup qualification with a win against Ukraine [https://www.newsday.com/sports/soccer/france-squad-kante-world-cup-qualifiers-e66984]. ### Supporting Evidence for France's World Cup Qualification Strategy - **Current Group Standing**: France leads Group D in the European qualifiers, positioning them favorably for qualification [https://apnews.com/article/france-squad-kante-world-cup-qualifiers-0dbb49b8bae478c0963b4abef3da89da]. - **Key Player Returns**: Alongside Kanté, players like Randal Kolo Muani and Bradley Barcola are also returning, which strengthens the squad depth [https://www.maltanewsagency.com/2025/11/maignan-kone-and-nkunku-among-deschamps-call-ups-for-world-cup-qualifiers]. - **Injury Management**: The team is managing injuries to players like Ousmane Dembélé, which could impact their performance but also opens opportunities for other players [https://www.italpress.com/maignan-kone-and-nkunku-among-deschamps-call-ups-for-world-cup-qualifiers]. ### Conclusion: France's Path to World Cup Qualification In summary, **N'Golo Kanté's return to the French national team is a pivotal development as they approach crucial World Cup qualifiers**. The strategic inclusion of experienced players alongside emerging talents aims to secure victories against Ukraine and Azerbaijan, ultimately leading to World Cup qualification. 1. **Kanté's Experience**: His presence in the midfield is expected to enhance team performance. 2. **Squad Depth**: The mix of seasoned players and new talent provides a balanced approach. 3. **Critical Matches Ahead**: Winning against Ukraine is essential for securing their World Cup spot. This comprehensive strategy reflects France's commitment to maintaining their status as a football powerhouse on the international stage [https://apnews.com/article/france-squad-kante-world-cup-qualifiers-0dbb49b8bae478c0963b4abef3da89da][https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/frances-deschamps-recalls-kante-kolo-muani-world-cup-qualifiers-5451066].