France must adjust against Italy
France will be without captain Kylian Mbappé for Thursday’s UEFA Nations League fixture against Italy. Coach Zinedine Zidane said the forward was not sufficiently fit to play and that the staff would not risk aggravating his discomfort.
Zidane explains the decision
Mbappé had already missed several recent France matches after a knee injury in September. He also missed Wednesday’s training. Zidane’s comments leave open the possibility of a return for Sunday’s game against Turkey, but that depends on his recovery rather than a confirmed selection.
Opportunity for another forward
Paris Saint-Germain forward Senny Mayulu received his first senior France call-up, replacing injured midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni. France’s preparations now centre on finding the right attacking balance against Italy without Mbappé. This report reflects the status of the squad on 11 November; later fitness updates may change the picture.
Source and editorial note
Read the original reporting or official announcement. This independent summary is based on the cited coverage, current as of 12 November 2026.
Featured image: conceptual AI illustration; not a photograph of the real event.
