{
  "id": 8320905,
  "title": "New France boss Zidane confirms Mbappe as captain after naming first squad",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/new-france-boss-zidane-confirms-mbappe-as-captain-after-naming-first-8320905",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-18T22:21:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/09/19/new-france-boss-zidane-confirms-mbappe-as-captain-after-naming-first-squad"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Zinedine Zidane has announced Kylian Mbappe as the captain of the French national football team after forming his first squad as coach of Les Bleus. The 21-year-old Real Madrid superstar demonstrated his leadership skills during the 2018 World Cup, where he was named top scorer with 10 goals. Despite France's semi-final defeat to eventual champions Spain, Mbappe has proven himself as a versatile player capable of operating in various positions. Zidane, who succeeded Didier Deschamps as coach, named several new faces in his squad, including centre-back Jeremy Jacquet and Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul. The first match for Zidane and his new team will be an away game against Italy at the Stade de France on October 2nd, followed by a home game against Belgium on September 28th.",
  "summary": "Notable names not featured in the squad include Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, Inter forward Marcus Thuram, and Arsenal defender William Saliba.",
  "key_points": [
    "Kylian Mbappe named captain of French national team",
    "Zinedine Zidane forms first squad as coach",
    "First match against Italy on October 2nd"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Le Monde English",
        "title": "New France boss Zidane confirms Mbappé as captain after naming first squad",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/new-france-boss-zidane-confirms-mbappe-as-captain-after-naming-first",
        "published": "2026-09-18T16:47:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Liverpool's Jacquet among new faces in Zidane's first France squad",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/liverpools-jacquet-among-new-faces-in-zidanes-first-france-squad",
        "published": "2026-09-18T17:14:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "New France boss Zidane confirms Mbappe as captain after naming first squad",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/new-france-boss-zidane-confirms-mbappe-as-captain-after-naming-first-8276601",
        "published": "2026-09-18T17:19:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "France coach Zidane picks 5 new faces in first squad and calls time on Benzema, Kante",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/france-coach-zidane-picks-5-new-faces-in-first-squad-and-calls-time",
        "published": "2026-09-18T17:20:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "New France coach Zidane confirms Mbappe as captain",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/new-france-coach-zidane-confirms-mbappe-as-captain",
        "published": "2026-09-18T18:22:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Zidane names first squad, confirms Mbappe France captain",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/zidane-names-first-squad-confirms-mbappe-france-captain",
        "published": "2026-09-18T19:08:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "New France boss Zidane confirms Mbappe as captain after naming first squad",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/new-france-boss-zidane-confirms-mbappe-as-captain-after-naming-first-8323272",
        "published": "2026-09-18T22:21:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "New France boss Zidane confirms Mbappe as captain after naming first squad",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/new-france-boss-zidane-confirms-mbappe-as-captain-after-naming-first-8323037",
        "published": "2026-09-18T22:31:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}