Real Madrid pair Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane have made France’s squad for their World Cup qualifier with Ukraine.
Les Bleus face a two-legged affair this month against the Swedes for a place in the World Cup finals in Brazil next summer, after finishing second in their UEFA qualifying group behind Spain.
For the double header starting in Kiev a week on Friday and concluding in Saint-Denis four days later, Didier Deschamps has listed two players based in La Liga, Madrid’s Benzema and Varane.
The 24 called up are the same as those listed in France’s internationals played in October, so there is still no place for Valencia’s Jeremy Mathieu.
France squad to face Ukraine
Goalkeepers: Mickaël Landreau (Bastia), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Marsella)
Defenders: Eric Abidal (Mónaco), Gaël Clichy (Manchester City), Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool), Raphaël Varane (Real Madrid)
Midfielders: Blaise Matuidi (PSG), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle), Clément Grenier (Lyon), Samir Nasri (Manchester City), Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle), Rio Mavuba (Lille)
Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Dimitri Payet (Marsella), Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich), Mathieu Valbuena (Marsella), Loïc Rémy (Newcastle)
