Kylian Mbappe to Undergo Medical Tests Before France's World Cup Qualifiers
Mbappe faces fitness uncertainty ahead of World Cup qualifiers. France captain Kylian Mbappe set to undergo medical tests on his right ankle ahead against Azerbaijan and Iceland. Coach Didier Deschamps says Mbappe has a 'small niggle' but believes it's not serious.
“We will take the time with the medical staff to assess the situation and then see how it develops...”
Kylian Mbappe will undergo medical examinations on his right ankle when he meets up with his international team-mates ahead of the latest round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers, France coach Didier Deschamps said on Monday.
The France captain sustained the knock at the end of Real Madrid's 3-1 La Liga victory over Villarreal on Saturday, casting doubts over his availability to the national team for their upcoming qualifying matches against Azerbaijan and Iceland.
“I spoke with Kylian, he had a small niggle, but it's not serious, otherwise he wouldn't be here today,” Deschamps told reporters at the French team's Clairefontaine base near Paris.
“We will take the time with the medical staff to assess the situation and then see how it develops.”
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) October 6, 2025
Liverpool's defender Ibrahima Konate is set to undergo medical tests following his injury in the team's 2-1 loss to Chelsea on Saturday. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury, according to the French football federation (FFF). Barcola was sent home from Clairefontaine after consulting with team doctor Franck Le Gall.
Florian Thauvin to Replace Barcola
Barcola's injury has been confirmed as a chronic lesion of the right hamstring, which he initially suffered during PSG's Champions League match against Atalanta Bergame. The exact timeframe for his recovery is yet to be determined, but PSG and the FFF are reportedly at odds over the nature of his injury.
Florian Thauvin remet le 𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒖 de chauffe 🇫🇷
— Racing Club de Lens (@RCLens) October 6, 2025
Pour la première fois depuis juin 2019, le numéro 10 sang et or est sélectionné en @equipedefrance pour les rencontres face à l'Azerbaïdjan (10/10) et l'Islande (13/10) ! 👏#FiersDEtreLensois pic.twitter.com/KdFlnKL82G
The French football federation announced that veteran winger Florian Thauvin will replace Barcola in the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. France will face Azerbaijan on Friday and Iceland on Monday. Meanwhile, coach Didier Deschamps is still awaiting further updates on Kylian Mbappé's ankle injury.
“After consulting with the French national team doctor... (Barcola) has been diagnosed with a chronic injury to his right hamstring since Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League match against Atalanta (on September 17),” the FFF said.
Paris Saint-Germain is grappling with a growing injury crisis, with forward Bradley Barcola joining an already extensive list of players on the sidelines. Barcola has been ruled out due to a chronic right hamstring lesion, which he initially sustained during PSG's Champions League match against Atalanta Bergamo on September 17. This news compounds the challenges faced by France coach Didier Deschamps, who is already dealing with other injuries to key players.
France's Injury Updates
Kylian Mbappe: France captain Kylian Mbappé is set to undergo medical examinations on his right ankle after limping off in Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Villarreal. Coach Didier Deschamps said Mbappé has a “small niggle” but believes it's not serious.
Ibrahima Konate: Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate will undergo tests for a quadriceps issue after being substituted in Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.
Other Injured Players: Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue are also on the treatment table, along with PSG teammates Marquinhos, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Fabian Ruiz, and Joao Neves.
Upcoming Matches for France
Azerbaijan vs. France: Friday at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris
Iceland vs. France: Monday, October 13, in Reykjavik
France currently tops Group D with two wins from two games.
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