Mbappe to Miss France’s Qualifier Against Azerbaijan Due to Ankle Injury
France captain Kylian Mbappe has been ruled out of Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan due to inflammation in his right ankle, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced. The 26-year-old Real Madrid attacker scored twice in Thursday’s 4-0 victory over Ukraine, which secured France’s place at the 2026 World Cup finals in North America, but now requires further medical tests in Madrid. France coach Didier Deschamps will also miss Eduardo Camavinga and suspended Manu Kone, further depleting his squad for the campaign’s final Group D game in Baku. Thursday’s match saw a minute’s silence to remember the victims of the 2015 Paris attacks. Mbappe, who coolly converted a penalty and added a second goal, inspired France’s dominant win, with Michael Olise and Hugo Ekitike also scoring. France, winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, lead Group D with an insurmountable […]