Leny Yoro has received his first senior France call-up after Ibrahima Konaté was forced to withdraw from Zinedine Zidane’s squad with a right-knee injury. The Manchester United centre-back was called up on Thursday, September 24, 2026, and will join the France senior team ahead of Friday’s UEFA Nations League match against Türkiye.
For Yoro, the timing is significant. He was already at France’s Clairefontaine training centre with the Under-21 team, which allowed Zidane’s staff to promote him immediately after Konaté’s injury.
Leny Yoro Gets His France Chance at 20
Yoro, 20, has progressed through France’s youth teams and was part of the U21 squad before receiving the unexpected promotion. He joined Manchester United from Lille in 2024 and has since been developing at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
His senior opportunity comes during Zidane’s first international camp as France manager. Zidane initially included several potential debutants in his first squad as he begins preparing the team for the next international cycle. Yoro is now the latest young defender to enter that group.
The Call-Up Comes at an Important Time for Yoro
The France call-up also gives Yoro an opportunity to gain international experience while competing for regular minutes at Manchester United.
He has started in the Champions League and League Cup this season, but his Premier League involvement has been limited so far. A senior France appearance would therefore give him another major stage to show what he can offer.
That does not automatically mean he will start against Türkiye. France already have established options in central defence, while Yoro has only just joined the senior group.
What About the Côte d’Ivoire Rumours?
Yoro’s call-up also puts fresh attention on previous reports linking him with Côte d’Ivoire. Rumours circulated in August and September that the defender could choose to represent the country of his father’s heritage, but those reports were never confirmed by Yoro, his representatives or the Ivorian Football Federation.
His first senior France call-up is therefore an important step in his international career, although a call-up itself is not the same as making a competitive senior appearance.
For now, Yoro’s immediate focus is France, where he has a chance to work under Zidane and potentially make his senior debut when France face Türkiye on September 25.
