Zidane: I'd love to play against Ireland…but won't

France will not be calling on midfield maestro Zinedine Zidane to help them qualify for the 2006 World Cup after the Real Madrid playmaker confirmed he would stand by his decision to retire from international football.

Zidane, who last played for France in their disappointing Euro 2004 campaign, had hinted he could make a one-off return for Les Bleus in their crunch top-of-the-table World Cup qualifying clash with the Republic of Ireland on September 7.