France’s Seven-Change Makeover: Deschamps Juggles the Blues as Mbappe Is Missed October Camp
13 October 2025
Deschamps makes seven changes as Mbappe sits out
France head coach Didier Deschamps announced a substantial reshuffle for October, excluding Kylian Mbappe from the camp due to an ankle issue. Mbappe’s lingering pain flared up during Friday’s win over Azerbaijan, prompting his withdrawal from the squad. In Reykjavik, Deschamps named a starting XI with seven changes, retaining only a core quartet: Mike Maignan in goal, Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba in defense, and Michael Olise on the wing. Florian Thauvin, the experienced forward from Lens, started and added a third goal, signaling a strong bench-to-11 transition for Les Bleus.
France lead Group 4 despite Mbappe’s absence
France currently sit top of Group 4 with nine points from three wins—2-0 against Ukraine, 2-1 versus Iceland, and 3-0 against Azerbaijan. Ukraine hold second with four points, Iceland third on three, and Azerbaijan last with one. In Reykjavik, Deschamps also rotated heavily, keeping keeper Mike Maignan as captain, and excluding Theo Hernandez and Malo Gusto from the defense while benching Kingsley Coman, Hugo Ekitike, and other frontline options as Mbappe focuses on club rehabilitation.
France’s World Cup pedigree remains strong: champions in 1998 and 2018, with a silver in 2006 and 2022, and a rich run in European and Nations League competitions under Deschamps. The coach has steered the squad through triumphs and near-misses alike, shaping a squad capable of another deep run when World Cup 2026 arrives in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The October squad lists 23 players, including Maignan, Upamecano, Saliba, Camavinga, Koné, Nkunku, Mbappe, and Mateta, among others. Jules Koundé, Lucas Digne, Theo Hernandez, Malo Gusto, Florian Thauvin, Kingsley Coman, and Hugo Ekitike are noted for their roles in the broader pool, while Mbappe’s absence opens up space for a new wave of attackers and midfielders to push through. The lineup also sees changes in the midfield and forward lines as Deschamps tests options for November fixtures.
France’s schedule now features a home match against Ukraine at the Parc des Princes followed by an away trip to Azerbaijan in November, with Ukraine still challenging for a direct spot. The group remains competitive, but France’s early momentum provides a solid platform to advance to World Cup 2026.
France’s World Cup history
The French national team remains a powerhouse with two World Cup titles, and a storied record in European competition. Deschamps’ leadership as captain in 1998 and as coach in 2018 has cemented his credibility as a builder of resilient squads capable of evolving with the times. Beyond the trophies, France has been a force in the Nations League and European Championships, continually reloading the squad while keeping one eye on future cycles.
France’s October squad
The list includes 23 players with a mix of star names and newcomers. Goalkeepers: Maignan; Defenders: Digne, Upamecano, Saliba, Koundé, Hernandez, Malo Gusto; Midfielders: Camavinga, Koné, Rabiot, Thomas, and a host of others in the pool; Forwards: Nkunku, Mateta, Mbappe (out), Thauvin, and Ekitike, among others. The squad emphasizes depth, youth, and experience as France prepare for a demanding qualifying window.
Brace yourself for more squad updates as the campaign unfolds; Deschamps is far from done tinkering, proving that even a World Cup-winning coach can’t resist a good lineup reshuffle.
Sniper-style punchline 1: If Mbappe’s ankle had a calendar, it’d be marked “update pending” until the end of the year.
Sniper-style punchline 2: Deschamps’ bench looks so deep, even the subs have a midlife crisis about not starting more often—then remember they’re all chasing a World Cup dream, not just a swimming pool of excuses.
