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Akliouche gets first call-up by France for World Cup qualifiers but Ekitike misses out
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Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring during the Premier League soccer match between Newcastle and Liverpool in Newcastle, England, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. - photo by AP Photo/Jon Super
PARIS (AP) — Maghnes Akliouche received a first call-up by France for its upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland but there was no place in the squad for in-form Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike on Wednesday. The 23-year-old Akliouche is an attacking midfielder for Monaco who was a member of France's squad at the Olympic football tournament on home soil last year and has played in his country's youth teams. He was one of seven forwards called up by Didier Deschamps as France gets ready to start its World Cup qualifying campaign.