🗞️ Daily Digest: Pavard steps in for Konaté, Mahrez’s last World Cup | OneFootball

The summary of the news from Saturday, October 11 can be found here.

Pavard fills in for Konaté’s departure, Mbappé not replaced

Injured in his right thigh, Ibrahima Konaté is leaving the French national team camp. The Reds defender will miss the trip to Iceland and will be replaced by Benjamin Pavard. As for Kylian Mbappé, who is also out, he will not be replaced.

📸 CHRISTOPHE SIMON - AFP or licensors

Umtiti soon on the bench?

As a guest of honor at the Parc des Princes for France vs. Azerbaijan, Samuel Umtiti expressed his desire to become a coach. Retired for a few weeks now, the 2018 World Cup champion now hopes to train so he can stay close to the pitch and pass on his experience.

📸 FRANCK FIFE - AFP or licensors

Mahrez heading for his last World Cup

Riyad Mahrez has confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will be his last. After scoring a goal and providing an assist in the 3-0 win over Somalia, the Fennecs captain secured his country’s qualification before the end of the qualifiers. “The 2026 World Cup will be my last. I’m not Cristiano Ronaldo,” he said with humor.

📸 Yasser Bakhsh - 2025 Getty Images

Thauvin was close to ending his career

Six years after his last appearance for Les Bleus, Florian Thauvin made a dream comeback on Friday night against Azerbaijan (3-0). Coming on in the 89th minute, the Lens player scored with his first touch, just a minute later. Moved, he admitted he had been “closer to ending his career than returning to the French team.” At 31, the 2018 World Cup winner now hopes to extend his time with Les Bleus, even though the road to the 2026 World Cup is still long.

📸 ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT - AFP or licensors

Majri bids farewell to Les Bleues

Less available in recent months for the French national team, Amel Majri is saying goodbye to Les Bleues. “First of all, I didn’t get much playing time at the Euros and the coach mainly called me for my experience,” she told AFP. “I’d rather a young player take advantage of these matches to gain experience before the 2027 World Cup,” concluded Amel Majri. A chapter closes for Les Bleues.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

📸 Yasser Bakhsh - 2025 Getty Images