Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is set to make his first France start in this evening's World Cup qualifier against Iceland.
The 28-year-old earned his maiden international call-up this month, catching the eye of Didier Deschamps with Marcus Thuram ruled out of camp due to injury.
Mateta earned his first cap as a second half substitute in Friday's 3-0 win over Azerbaijan and is now in line to make his full international debut in Iceland tonight.
France sit five points clear at the top of their World Cup qualifying group after winning each of their opening three games.
Victory over Iceland this evening, coupled with Ukraine dropping points against Azerbaijan, would see Deschamps’ side book their place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States.
Deschamps, who will call time on his 14-year tenure as France manager after next summer’s World Cup, encouraged Mateta at the start of the international break to be himself and not feel pressured by the allure of a place on the plane.
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Mateta, out of contract at the end of next season, has scored four times in 12 appearances for Palace this term, taking his tally to 34 goals in 71 appearances since Oliver Glasner's arrival in February 2024.
The Frenchman has previously represented France at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he scored five goals in six games – helping Les Bleus to silver.
The Palace frontman could line up alongside former Eagle Michael Olise, who left Selhurst Park for German giants Bayern Munich last summer.
Kick-off is at 7:45pm (UK time) and will be shown live on pay-per-view in the UK on Amazon Prime, with Mateta leading the line.
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