Kumbedi beats Zidane to earn a place in the French national team

On the afternoon of a DFB Cup match, journalist Oriol Martínez noted the unexpected call‑up of Saël Kumbedi to the senior France national team, one of the biggest surprises of the international break. The 21‑year‑old received the news while waiting for a taxi at his home, and described the moment as an overwhelming joy.

Although he had not initially been called up for the senior side, Kumbedi was part of the under‑21s and Zinedine Zidane has summoned him to replace the injured Pierre Kalulu. The decision was made after the Swiss defender’s injury, which left a gap in central defence.

Kumbedi plays for Wolfsburg in the German second division, where he has featured in nine matches this season, all as a starter. He has missed three games due to a thigh injury.

Developed in the youth ranks of Le Havre, the forward moved to Olympique Lyon in 2022 for one million euros. After three seasons in the French capital, where his performances did not meet expectations, he arrived in Germany in 2025 on loan to Wolfsburg. In January of this year, the German club acquired 100 % of his rights for six million euros.

Unlike Pierre Kalulu, Kumbedi stands out for his strong offensive contribution and his speed, which allows him to beat opponents and get behind defences from the second line. Moreover, his versatility enables him to adapt to various attacking positions. His ability to take on defenders makes him a constant threat in attack.

Zidane opens France door to Ligue 2 with Kumbedi call‑up

During his spell at Lyon, he worked on improving one‑on‑one duels and the reading of his defensive actions, an area that has developed and allowed him to rise to the top level. That progress has turned him into a more complete player, capable of contributing in both phases of the game.

Zinedine Zidane announced the squad in the press conference last Friday. Kumbedi explained that, while he was preparing to join the under‑21s, he received the call informing him of his inclusion in the senior team and felt “delighted”.

The striker added that being called up by Zidane “warms the heart”, that he never imagined it would come so soon and that he now must make the most of the opportunity, describing it as a dream come true. He assured that he must keep working and keep his head on his shoulders.

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France will face Italy and Turkey in this international break, and it will be seen how many minutes the youngster will play in the upcoming matches. The coach will look to integrate Kumbedi into the tactical setup to strengthen the defence after Kalulu’s absence.