Deschamps weighs two bold moves to fill Mbappe's void

France’s head coach Didier Deschamps is weighing two options to replace Kylian Mbappe’s influence for the upcoming European World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Mbappe contributed a goal and an assist in the 3-0 victory over Azerbaijan at the Parc des Princes, but he re-aggravated his right ankle and will miss the camp, continuing treatment with his club.

According to L’Equipe, Deschamps is considering two candidates to wear the armband in Mbappé’s absence against Iceland. The choices are goalkeeper Mike Maignan of AC Milan and defender Dayot Upamecano of Bayern Munich.

Upamecano is expected to start again after featuring against Azerbaijan, with Ibrahim Konaté ruled out due to injury and Benjamin Pavard moving into a Marseille defense role. Two other adjustments were noted: Eduardo Camavinga returns to replace Ousmane Dembélé’s forward role, and William Saliba re-joins the squad at the expense of Pavard, the Marseille defender on loan from Inter Milan for this season.

France’s 26-man roster for October also saw two more changes: Ibrahim Konaté and Bradley Barcola were left out due to injuries, while Benjamin Pavard and Florent Toivan joined from Marseille and Lens respectively to fill gaps and balance the squad’s depth.

Mbappé’s journey with football has been a steady ascent since his France debut in 2017. He has scored 53 goals in 93 international appearances, helped France win the 2018 World Cup, and added the 2021 European Championship and a 2025 Nations League bronze to his cabinet. He became France captain at the start of 2023, stepping into leadership after the retirements of Hugues Lloris and Raphaël Varane, surpassing older stars like Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud. At club level, Mbappé rose through Monaco’s ranks before a 2017 transfer to Paris Saint‑Germain for a then-record €180 million, making him the most expensive French player in history.

During seven seasons at the Parc des Princes, Mbappé captured domestic titles—Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and the Coupes de la Ligue—scoring 175 goals in 205 appearances before moving to Real Madrid on a free transfer. He chased Europe’s crown but fell short in the 2020 Champions League final against Bayern Munich, a match played behind closed doors because of the pandemic.

France’s World Cup Qualifiers Group Standings

France sits atop Group 4 with 9 points, having defeated Ukraine, Iceland, and Azerbaijan. Ukraine is second with 4 points, Iceland third with 3, and Azerbaijan at the bottom with 1 point. France’s remaining fixtures include a home match against Ukraine at the Parc des Princes and an away encounter with Azerbaijan on the 13th and 16th of November.

October Squad and Captaincy Considerations

The French squad for October features 23 players. Goals: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Chouamini’s replacement by Camavinga (Real Madrid), and supporters such as Saliba (Arsenal) and Upamecano (Bayern Munich) anchoring the defense. The midfield includes Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Manu Koné (Roma), and Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan). The attack features Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) and Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), with a preview of how leadership and form may influence selection against Iceland.

France’s coach also adjusted the list due to injuries and tactical needs, bringing back Saliba and replacing Pavard’s position, while two more players were dropped due to injuries. Deschamps’s choices will shape the balance between defense, ball progression, and goal threat as the qualification campaign resumes.

Mbappé’s career, meanwhile, remains a blueprint of modern French football—a blend of speed, talent, and leadership. He has been France’s main offensive engine for a decade, and his absence offers a moment for others to step up and for France to demonstrate depth and resilience in pursuit of another World Cup appearance.

Mbappé’s journey continues to inspire fans, with a career path that includes Monaco’s academy, the blockbuster PSG move in 2017, and a Real Madrid chapter that followed without relinquishing his status as one of Europe’s elite players.

Mbappé’s World Cup Journey

Mbappé debuted for France in 2017, scoring 53 goals in 93 international appearances and helping the Dyoque win the 2018 World Cup. He has since contributed to their Euro 2021 success and a Nations League bronze in 2025. As captain since 2023, he leads a generation that has aged alongside him, stepping into leadership while new talents rise. His club career began with Monaco, transitioned to PSG in 2017 for a record fee, and culminated in a move to Real Madrid on a free transfer. Across seven seasons in Paris, Mbappé collected domestic titles and tallied 175 goals in 205 appearances before joining Madrid, chasing Europe’s pinnacle—though the 2020 UCL final, played without fans, remains a defining moment in the era.

Two punchlines for good measure: 1) Deschamps is so calm that even when Mbappé isn’t playing, the armband still finds a way to do the heavy lifting. 2) If Mbappé’s absence is a puzzle, the rest of France is just here with the photo captions: “Caption: We may not have Mbappé, but we’ve got a squad that can shoot for the stars—just please, no more red cards.”