Mateta has scored four goals in 10 games this season, helping his team remain unbeaten and sitting third in the league table. He has also netted 32 goals in the Premier League since the start of the 2023/24 campaign, following a successful season last year where he scored 17 goals in all competitions.

Mateta has represented France at the Under-21 level and was part of the team that won a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, scoring five goals in six matches. This is his first call-up to the senior team, and he benefits from the absence of injured players like Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue.

Deschamps praised Mateta's profile, highlighting his ability to score goals and his experience playing for various youth teams. Other changes to the squad include the return of Eduardo Camavinga, who has not played for France since March, and the recall of Christopher Nkunku.

Les Bleus, the reigning World Cup winners, are top of their qualifying group with six points after two wins against Ukraine and Iceland. They will look to secure top spot and qualification for the World Cup with two games to spare if they win their upcoming matches against Azerbaijan and Iceland.

The France squad includes goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards, with a mix of experienced and young players. The team is set to face Azerbaijan on October 10th in Paris and Iceland three days later.

The squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier, Mike Maignan, Brice Samba

Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga, Manu Kone, Michael Olise, Adrien Rabiot, Khephren Thuram

Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Kingsley Coman, Hugo Ekitike, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappe, Christopher Nkunku