SOCCER
Why isn’t Kylian Mbappé in the France team for the October internationals?
The Real Madrid star featured in the Champions League loss to Lille but is absent from Didier Deschamps squad to take on Israel and Belgium.
France head coach Didier Deschamps has named his squad for the upcoming international break, with one major omission from the roster.
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has not been called up for the France team, a surprise given that the 25-year-old featured for his team in the Champions League on Wednesday. However Mbappé has only recently returned from an injury to his biceps femoris, which saw him sidelined for last weekend’s Madrid derby.
Mbappé came off the bench in the UCL defeat to Lille but he is understood to need more time to return to full fitness. With a two-week break from LaLiga action, Mbappé will use the extra time at the club’s Valdebebas training ground to continue his rehabilitation.
“Mbappé has recovered well, very quickly,” Ancelotti told reporters ahead of the Lille loss. “In the old days, it was an overload. With the new technology, he’s fine. He’s here to play. We’re not going to take any risks. Obviously, if there is no risk, he will play from the first minute.”
Who is in the France squad for the October internationals?
Even without Mbappé’s generational talents, France still boast one of the best groups of players in the international game. Les Bleus made it to the final of both of the last two World Cups, winning the 2018 edition, and will be among the favourites to lift the trophy again in 2026. Here’s a look at the squad selected by Deschamps for this month’s fixtures.
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham United), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens).
Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich).
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (AC Milan), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio), Manu Kone (Borussia Monchengladbach), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG).
Forwards: Bradley Barcola (PSG), Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).
“Kylian Mbappé's absence from the national team list? I spoke with Kylian because his situation is still uncertain after he entered the game on Wednesday,” Deschamps said on Thursday when the team was announced. “He has a match on Saturday and there are questions, he has a problem that is not serious but he needs treatment to recover well. We will not take risks.”