The alarm bells are ringing in Clairefontaine. Kylian Mbappé, captain of the French national team and star forward for Real Madrid, is still not fully recovered from the right ankle injury he sustained last Saturday against Villarreal. For the second consecutive day, the striker sat out of training with Les Bleus, raising concerns ahead of Friday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan.

How Serious Is Mbappé’s Injury?

Initial fears suggested the worst, but reports now indicate that the injury is not serious. Still, Didier Deschamps and his staff are determined not to take any unnecessary risks. Mbappé continues to feel discomfort in his ankle, prompting the French Football Federation (FFF) to handle the situation with extreme caution and maintain full confidentiality about his exact condition.

According to French media, Mbappé remains in camp and has not been sent back to Madrid, but his availability for Friday’s match at the Parc des Princes remains uncertain. The plan is to keep him resting until Wednesday’s key training session, when the medical team will decide whether he’s fit to play.

Deschamps Plays Down Concerns: “It’s Not Serious”

During Monday’s press conference, Didier Deschamps aimed to calm the situation, assuring that the issue does not warrant Mbappé’s return to Spain.

“The setback isn’t serious enough for him to go back. We just want to avoid any unnecessary risks, but there’s no reason to panic,” the French coach said.

France’s manager is expected to remain cautious, especially given that the upcoming matches — against Azerbaijan and Iceland — are considered manageable fixtures in the team’s path to qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Konaté Adds to France’s Injury Woes

Mbappé isn’t the only concern. Ibrahima Konaté of Liverpool is also nursing a muscle injury after being forced off in the match against Chelsea. Like Mbappé, the defender skipped Tuesday’s training session, leaving Deschamps with multiple selection headaches ahead of the qualifiers.

The Wednesday evening session (5:30 p.m. local time) at Clairefontaine will be crucial in determining the immediate status of both players.

For now, the French camp remains tight-lipped. But if Mbappé ultimately sits out, France could decide to rest him completely — prioritizing his recovery over results — knowing that their captain remains vital in a crowded and demanding schedule.