France conclude a successful 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in Baku on Sunday evening, and they won’t have their captain available for the fixture.
Mbappé’s five goals, including a brace in the 4–0 victory over Ukraine on Thursday, helped Les Bleus to top spot in Group D with a matchday remaining, meaning the 2018 world champions will be one of the 48 nations competing in North America next summer.
The forward’s two strikes last time out took his tally up to 55 for the national team, and he’s now just two adrift of Olivier Giroud’s all-time record. Mbappé could break it on a stage where he’s thrived in the past, although France will have a couple of friendlies arranged for next March after securing their spot at the tournament.
The long trip to Azerbaijan perhaps didn’t appeal to Mbappé for what is essentially a dead rubber, but an official reason has been supplied as to why Didier Deschamps’ captain won’t be playing.
