Deschamps explains Mbappe withdrawal ahead of Azerbaijan clash

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·15 November 2025

Deschamps explains Mbappe withdrawal ahead of Azerbaijan clash

France boss sends Real Madrid star back to Spain after ankle inflammation

Deschamps explains Mbappe withdrawal ahead of Azerbaijan clash

Video OneFootball

France head coach Didier Deschamps has confirmed that Kylian Mbappe was excluded from the squad for Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan due to ongoing ankle inflammation insisting he did not want to take any risks with the Real Madrid forward.

The French Football Federation announced earlier that Mbappe had been released from the camp after medical examinations revealed irritation in his right ankle.

He added:

"We preferred not to take any risks just like we did with Camavinga. We won’t gamble with any player. Kylian gone back to his club. We still have 22 player available for tomorrow"..

La réponse de Deschamps sur l'absence de Kylian Mbappé en Azerbaïdjan
– Sabtu, 15 November 2025

Les Bleus travel to Baku to face Azerbaijan having already secured qualification by beating Ukraine on Thursday.

France top Group D with 13 point, six clear of both Iceland & Ukraine while Azerbaijan sit bottom with just 1 point.

This's not the first time Mbappe has withdrawn mid camp , he also left the France squad after the October win over Azerbaijan missing the following match against Iceland.