The 21-year-old right-back has enjoyed an unexpected breakthrough after being added to the senior squad for France's Nations League fixtures against Italy and Türkiye. His selection has attracted considerable attention, particularly because he currently plays for VfL Wolfsburg in Germany's second division.
Kumbedi admitted that he initially struggled to believe the news when he received the call informing him of his promotion to the senior national team.
“When the call came, I thought: ‘Damn, is this really true?’ I have been preparing for this since I was very young. I knew this moment would come, but not so quickly,” he said.
Zidane selected the defender after Juventus' Pierre Kalulu was ruled out through injury. Kumbedi had originally been expected to join France's under-21 squad, but the withdrawal of Kalulu created an opportunity for his first senior call-up.
The appointment is particularly significant given the level at which Kumbedi currently plays. He is the first player from a second-division club to receive a France senior call-up since David Trezeguet in 2007.
Zidane was already familiar with the defender before making his decision. Kumbedi explained that the France coach had followed his progress for several years, having seen him play alongside his son, Elyaz Zidane, in the French youth international teams.
“He told me that he had had me on his radar since I played with his son,” Kumbedi said.
The pair spent several years together in France's youth sides, giving Zidane an opportunity to become familiar with the right-back's qualities and development.
Kumbedi joined Wolfsburg from Lyon, initially on loan in the summer of 2025 before making the move permanent for a reported €6 million. He has become a regular in the German side's first team, making nine competitive appearances during the current campaign.
His selection also comes at an important moment for France under Zidane. The former Real Madrid and France midfielder has taken charge of the national team following Didier Deschamps' departure, with the ambition of building another side capable of winning major honours.
Kumbedi's call-up reflects the new coach's willingness to look beyond the established senior group when circumstances demand it. The defender now has an opportunity to demonstrate that he can compete at international level, rather than simply benefit from an unexpected selection.
France are scheduled to face Italy on Thursday before meeting Türkiye on Sunday in their final Nations League group fixtures of the year. Kumbedi will be hoping to make the most of his first experience with the senior squad.
For a player who had been preparing to join the under-21s only days earlier, the opportunity represents a major change in his international career. Zidane's familiarity with his development has helped open the door, but Kumbedi now has the chance to make his own impression.