Despite a dazzling performance featuring a goal and an assist in France’s dominant 3-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Azerbaijan, superstar Kylian Mbappé left fans holding their breath after limping off with a familiar ankle injury, now ruling him out of the upcoming Iceland clash and highlighting a potential fragility for Les Bleus, even as other European giants like Germany find their stride.
The roar of the crowd in Paris on Friday, October 10, 2025, quickly turned to a collective gasp as Kylian Mbappé, fresh off a spectacular goal and assist, limped off the field during France’s World Cup qualifying match against Azerbaijan. While Les Bleus secured a commanding 3-0 victory, maintaining their flawless record, the sight of their talisman clutching his right ankle ignited immediate concerns for fans and coaching staff alike. This recurring injury poses a significant challenge for the French squad as they navigate their path to the 2026 World Cup.
Mbappé’s Dominance Continues, But So Does the Injury Worry
The 26-year-old Real Madrid forward had been a doubt even before the match due to an existing right ankle issue. Yet, he displayed no signs of hesitation, delivering a performance typical of his world-class caliber, showcasing why a recent ankle injury had been a concern. In first-half stoppage time, Mbappé broke the deadlock with a breathtaking individual effort. Gathering the ball from midfield, he embarked on a slaloming run, effortlessly weaving through multiple Azerbaijani defenders before slotting a precise shot into the bottom right corner. This marked his 10th consecutive match scoring for club and country, a testament to his incredible form.
His influence didn’t stop there. In the 69th minute, Mbappé turned provider, lofting a perfectly weighted pass into the area for Adrien Rabiot to head home France’s second goal. However, the joyous atmosphere was short-lived when, after a tussle for the ball, Mbappé was forced to limp off in the 83rd minute, seemingly re-aggravating the same ankle. This incident raises a familiar concern, as he had previously sustained a similar ankle injury while playing for Real Madrid against Villarreal. The French Football Federation later confirmed that Mbappé would miss France’s upcoming World Cup qualifier against Iceland, as reported by the Associated Press.
Mbappé’s National Team Legacy and France’s Depth Test
With 53 goals for France, Mbappé stands as the nation’s second all-time leading scorer, needing just five more to surpass Olivier Giroud for the top spot. His potential absence for even a single match like the upcoming Iceland fixture underscores France’s heavy reliance on his electrifying pace and clinical finishing. While Florian Thauvin, a late call-up, immediately extended France’s advantage with his first international goal in six years after replacing Mbappé, the long-term impact of Mbappé’s recurring injury on France’s World Cup ambitions cannot be understated.
The 2022 World Cup runners-up have started their 2026 qualification campaign in stellar fashion, boasting a perfect record of three wins from three games in Group D, accumulating nine points. Their dominance ensures they top the group, five points clear of Ukraine. The upcoming match against Iceland, though, will serve as a crucial test of the team’s depth and adaptability without their captain and primary attacking threat. Fans will be closely watching how Didier Deschamps’ side adjusts to this challenge, particularly given Mbappé’s expected return to Real Madrid for recovery.
European Qualifying Landscape: Germany Recovers, Belgium Stumbles
Beyond France’s Group D exploits, other European nations are battling for their World Cup berths. Germany, after a concerning loss to Slovakia last month, appears to be back on track. They eased to a 4-0 victory over Luxembourg, with Joshua Kimmich scoring twice. Luxembourg played most of the match with 10 men after defender Dirk Carlson was sent off early. This win sees Germany top Group A on goal difference, level on six points with Northern Ireland and Slovakia, who Northern Ireland beat 2-0. Germany’s campaign was previously described as being thrown into immediate jeopardy, highlighting the significance of this recovery, according to an Associated Press report.
Meanwhile, Belgium experienced a frustrating setback in Group J, held to a 0-0 draw against North Macedonia, despite registering 25 attempts on goal. North Macedonia now leads Group J, with Belgium trailing by one point, although having played one match fewer. Wales sits a point further back. In another Group J encounter, Kazakhstan secured a comprehensive 4-0 win over Liechtenstein, placing them six points behind North Macedonia.
Switzerland’s Perfect Run and Other Group Highlights
In Group B, Switzerland continued their impressive form, making it three wins out of three with no goals conceded. They secured a 2-0 victory at Sweden with two second-half goals, firmly establishing themselves at the top of their group. Kosovo remained five points behind Switzerland in second place after a 0-0 draw at home against Slovenia. These early stages of the World Cup qualifiers are proving to be a mix of expected dominance, surprising upsets, and, unfortunately, injury concerns for star players.
Fan Perspective: What Mbappé’s Injury Means for France and Real Madrid
For the fervent fan communities, Mbappé’s injury is more than just a missed game; it’s a ripple effect through the entire football season. The discussions across fan forums and social media are buzzing with theories about France’s tactical adjustments for Iceland. Will Deschamps opt for a more defensive setup, or will he unleash attacking talents like Ousmane Dembélé and Rayan Cherki to fill the void? The recurring nature of his ankle issues also sparks debates about his long-term fitness and the demanding schedules for top players. His return to Real Madrid for recovery also means his club will be keenly watching his rehabilitation, hoping their star signing is fit for crucial La Liga and Champions League fixtures.
The stakes are incredibly high, not just for qualification but for maintaining momentum. France’s perfect record is a point of immense pride, and ensuring that future opponents cannot exploit Mbappé’s absence will be key. The collective effort against Iceland will reveal much about the team’s resilience and their ability to perform under pressure without their generational talent. For now, all eyes are on the recovery process, hoping for a swift and complete return for one of football’s brightest stars.
