Zidane Turns to Serie A: Como Captain Da Cunha and Inter's Diouf Make France's World Cup Long List

Zinedine Zidane's reign as France head coach is still in its infancy, but the 1998 World Cup winner is already making waves with his squad planning — and his gaze has settled firmly on Serie A. According to Football Italia, the new Les Bleus boss has placed Como captain Da Cunha and Inter man Diouf on his preliminary long list ahead of this summer's World Cup in North America, a strong indication that the former Real Madrid manager intends to reward form and fearlessness over reputation. Da Cunha's inclusion is perhaps the most eye-catching. The Como skipper has been the heartbeat of one of Serie A's most romantic projects, leading the club with a maturity that has belied his age and drawing praise across Italy for his composure, tactical intelligence, and leadership in the heart of midfield. Under the guidance of a ambitious coaching staff in Lombardy, he has transformed from a promising talent into a genuine reference point for his team — exactly the kind of profile Zidane is said to admire. Diouf, meanwhile, represents the future. The Inter player has forced his way into contention at club level with a string of composed performances, and his versatility and physicality are understood to have caught the attention of France's scouting network. For a young player sharing a dressing room with serial winners, the possibility of a first senior international call-up would represent a remarkable acceleration in his development. The long list is, of course, only the first step. Zidane must eventually trim his selection down to a final squad for the tournament, where France will carry the weight of expectation as one of the favourites. But the inclusion of two Serie A-based names suggests the coach is conducting a genuine audit of French talent rather than simply defaulting to the established stars of previous campaigns. Zidane inherited the national team after the conclusion of Didier Deschamps' long and decorated tenure, and with it, the pressure of following a man who reached two World Cup finals. The 53-year-old knows better than most what winning the trophy feels like — and what it demands. For Da Cunha and Diouf, the message is clear: the door to the World Cup is ajar. Whether they walk through it may depend on the closing months of the club season, but for now, two of Serie A's French contingent have the ultimate incentive to keep performing. As reported by Football Italia, Zidane is watching — and Serie A has his full attention.