Dembélé named vice-captain of France, Maignan sidelined by Zidane

Ousmane Dembélé becomes vice-captain of the France national team under Zinédine Zidane, alongside Adrien Rabiot and Jules Koundé, just days before the new manager’s first match on Friday against Turkey in Izmit in the Ligue des Nations.

The criterion adopted by Zidane’s staff is seniority in international football. Behind Kylian Mbappé, captain with 106 caps, Dembélé (67 selections), Rabiot (66) and Koundé (56) form the official hierarchy for this gathering. A logic already applied by the same staff at Real Madrid.

This method nonetheless raises questions, as it sidelines several recognized locker room leaders. Mike Maignan, promoted captain in October 2025 during a Mbappé injury, finds himself stripped of any vice-captain role despite his 48 selections and status as number one goalkeeper. Dayot Upamecano, defensive cornerstone with 46 caps, is also set aside. Two absent from this gathering held these roles under Didier Deschamps: Aurélien Tchouaméni (50 selections) and Ibrahima Konaté (30 selections).

On the tactical front, Zidane worked on a 4-3-3 during Wednesday’s closed-door session at Clairefontaine. Mbappé operates on the left wing, Dembélé up front and Michael Olise on the right, with a midfield composed of Rayan Cherki, Manu Koné and Adrien Rabiot. The captain will need to adapt to this more demanding left flank defensively.

France will play four matches during this international window: against Turkey on Friday, Belgium on Monday, Italy at Stade de France the following Friday, then facing the Red Devils again at Saint-Denis.