Kylian Mbappe absent from France squad amid injury reports and tension rumors

Kylian Mbappe was ruled out of the French national team’s UEFA Nations League match against Italy on November 12, 2026, due to a mild muscle strain. While initial media reports fueled speculation regarding a rift between the Real Madrid star and newly appointed coach Zinedine Zidane—specifically citing dissatisfaction over tactical positioning and a denied request by the player to leave the training camp via private jet—Zidane publicly refuted these claims. During a press conference on November 11, the manager clarified that the absence was strictly precautionary to avoid further injury.

Following Mbappe’s absence, France suffered a 3-1 defeat against Italy at the San Siro in the fifth round of the Nations League group stage. Zidane has defended his tactical decisions during the match, noting that defensive lapses were a team-wide issue rather than the fault of individual players. Despite the loss, France remains in contention for the tournament's quarterfinals. Mbappe is currently expected to remain with the squad in anticipation of the upcoming match against Turkey, although his fitness remains subject to further evaluation.