Kylian Mbappe will miss France World Cup qualifier against Iceland after suffering another knock to his right ankle, the French team has confirmed.
– ADEVERTISEMENT –
Already carrying a “small niggle” from his time with Real Madrid, Mbappe aggravated the problem during Friday’s 3-0 victory over Azerbaijan in Paris, where he scored the opener before being substituted late on.
The French Football Federation (FFF) said Mbappe “will not be able to play Monday against Iceland” and confirmed he has been “released to his club (Real Madrid)” with no replacement called up.
After returning to Clairefontaine, Mbappe discussed his condition with coach Didier Deschamps, who “acknowledged his absence,” according to the FFF statement.
– ADEVERTISEMENT –
Deschamps said after the win that the forward “has a sore ankle and he took a knock there. He preferred to come off; the pain was quite significant.”
France will qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico if they beat Iceland and Ukraine fail to defeat Azerbaijan.
The absence of their captain adds to a growing list of injured attackers, including Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Marcus Thuram and Bradley Barcola.