Star striker Kylian Mbappé is sidelined due to an ankle injury. © APA/afp / FRANCK FIFE

France captain Mbappé injured

Star striker Kylian Mbappé will miss France's World Cup qualifier against Iceland due to an ankle injury.

11 October 2025

From: dpa

The captain sustained the injury in the 3-0 win against Azerbaijan on Friday evening and has already returned home, the French Football Association announced. It remains unclear how long the 26-year-old Real Madrid striker will be out. Real Madrid will play against Getafe FC in the Spanish league next Sunday.

France coach Didier Deschamps will not call up any players for the trip to Reykjavik, it was reported. Mbappé had given France the lead against Azerbaijan with a strong individual performance shortly before halftime. He had to be substituted in the closing stages after suffering a knock to his ankle.

Mbappè had to be substituted in the closing stages. © ANSA / YOAN VALAT

Qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico is within reach for the tournament's co-favorites. The French comfortably lead Group D with nine points. Ukraine, who won spectacularly 5-3 (3-1) against Iceland, is second with four points. Only the group winner qualifies directly for the World Cup.