World Cup qualifications: Ekitike presented First France call-up after Cherki injury

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike has received his first call-up of the French team for the qualifications of next month’s World Cup, to replace injured forward Rayan Cherki, the French football federation said on Sunday.

Cherki, who came to Manchester City in June, is excluded with a thigh muscle injury, so that coach Didier Deschamps would turn to the non -covered Ekitike.

The 23-year-old was overlooked in the first team despite his clear start in Liverpool, with Deschamps who quoted fierce competition in the attack of Les Bleus.

Ekitike has scored three times in so many games since he joined the Premier League champion of Eintracht Frankfurt. France will come across Ukraine in Wroclaw in Poland on 5 September and organize Iceland four days later.

Published August 31, 2025