Sat Oct 05 21:30:04 UTC 2024: ## France Calls Up Olise for Nations League Games, Mbappe Out With Injury
**PARIS** – France has called up midfielder Michael Olise for this month’s Nations League games against Israel and Belgium. The 22-year-old, who won his first two caps against Italy and Belgium last month, will be a key player in the absence of Kylian Mbappe, who is still recovering from a muscle injury.
Mbappe, who featured for 35 minutes in Real Madrid’s Champions League loss to Lille on Wednesday, was deemed unfit for international duty. “He has a problem that is not serious,” said France coach Didier Deschamps. “I’m not here to take risks, which is why Kylian isn’t on the list.”
The call-up also marks the return of Chelsea striker Christopher Nkunku to the French national team after 15 months. Nkunku last played for France in a 1-0 win against Greece in June 2022.
France is currently second in Group A2 of the Nations League with three points from two games, three points behind Italy. They will face Israel in Budapest on October 10 and Belgium in Brussels four days later.
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