Zidane calls up Lens defender Ismaïlo Ganiou for France Turkey game

France’s new manager Zinedine Zidane has called up Lens defender Ismaïlo Ganiou for the provisional squad ahead of the team’s match against Turkey. The 21‑year‑old, who previously represented Burkina Faso in a friendly in June 2025, is now on the verge of his senior debut for France. Zidane’s provisional list, released on September 12, also includes Ganiou’s Lens teammates Florian Thauvin and Mathieu Udol, both of whom have already earned senior caps. The call‑up follows Ganiou’s strong performances at club level, notably his Champions League debut in a 3‑2 win away at Slavia Prague and his standout showing in the Champions Trophy match versus Paris Saint‑Germain, which Zidane watched from the stands at the Bollaert. Ganiou has also featured twice for France Under‑21s earlier this year. The final squad will be announced on September 18.

This development highlights how impressive club form in Ligue 1 can fast‑track a player into a major national team, even after having played for another country. For Nigerian fans, it underscores the growing pathway for African‑born talents in European leagues to earn senior international recognition, raising questions about scouting and talent retention back home.

Will you keep an eye on Ganiou’s progress as he pushes for a senior France cap, and what does his journey suggest about the opportunities available to African players plying their trade in France’s top division?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/12/zidane-names-lens-defender-ganiou-in-france-preliminary-squad/