The French national team’s preparations for the 2026 world Cup qualifiers have been met with a significant question mark: the availability of their talismanic captain,kylian Mbappé. The electrifying forward was notably absent from the team’s training session on Monday at Clairefontaine, sparking immediate concern among fans and pundits alike.

Didier Deschamps’ squad is gearing up for a pivotal international break, with two crucial matches on the horizon. France is set to host Azerbaijan at the iconic Parc des Princes this Friday. This fixture follows a dominant 5-0 victory over Azerbaijan last month in Iceland, a performance that showcased the French team’s offensive prowess. The team will then travel to Reykjavik to face Iceland in their second encounter of this international sequence on Monday.

Mbappé’s recent club form has been nothing short of spectacular. Just last Saturday, he celebrated scoring the third goal in Real Madrid’s 3-1 victory over Villarreal. However, the jubilation was short-lived as replays indicated he might have sustained an ankle injury shortly after his strike, impacting his ability to resume play normally. This incident has cast a shadow over his participation in the upcoming national team duties.

National coach Didier Deschamps addressed the situation at a press conference, stating, Kylian is there. He had a little concern that is unacceptable. Or else, he would not have come. This statement suggests that while Mbappé is with the squad, the “little concern” is being closely monitored, and his presence is contingent on his fitness.

Despite the coach’s assurances, the French staff has appeared cautiously optimistic since Saturday regarding their captain’s injury. Mbappé is currently on the cusp of perhaps challenging Olivier Giroud’s national team scoring record,