Mbappé sparks concern after sealing the 2026 ticket

The celebration didn’t last long for Kylian Mbappé. Less than 24 hours after leading France’s 4-0 win over Ukraine with a brace that secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, the Real Madrid forward left the French camp due to discomfort in his right ankle.

According to the French Football Federation (FFF), the French captain is dealing with inflammation that requires further testing, which will be carried out once he returns to Madrid. The decision was made jointly by the coaching staff and medical team after an initial assessment.

The issue emerged in the final minutes of the match against Ukraine, when Mbappé felt pain in the joint. Although it does not appear to be a serious injury, the directive was clear: avoid risks and send him back to Spain for a more complete evaluation.

A sensitive absence for France against Azerbaijan

With qualification already secured, France will face Azerbaijan without their biggest star. The absence of Mbappé will not affect the standings, but it does force Didier Deschamps to reshape his attack and manage workloads in what was supposed to be a low-stakes international date.

The forward will return to Madrid this weekend, and it is not ruled out that he could also miss Real Madrid’s next match, depending on the results of upcoming medical tests.

Koné and Camavinga also leave the camp

The FFF statement also confirmed two additional departures. Manu Koné, of AS Roma, leaves due to suspension after picking up a yellow card against Ukraine. With no minutes ahead, his return to the club was expected.

More concerning is the case of Eduardo Camavinga. The Real Madrid midfielder suffered a muscular contraction in his left hamstring and will also travel back to Spain to begin recovery.

France breathes… but cautiously

Even though France has already punched its ticket to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the three departures —especially that of Mbappé— leave a bittersweet feeling after what should have been a perfect night.

In the coming hours, the full extent of the ankle inflammation will be known. For now, the plan is simple: protect their superstar and ensure he returns in full form for what lies ahead.