Kylian Mbappe sidelined for France's Nations League matches, confirms coach Didier Deschamps

France will be without their injured captain Kylian Mbappe as the star striker continues to recover from a thigh injury sustained last month. Coach Didier Deschamps announced the French squad for the upcoming Nations League on Thursday (Oct 3), revealing that they will also be missing Antoine Griezmann, who announced his retirement from international soccer. Mbappe’s absence could prove to be a significant blow for the 2018 World Champions as they aim to defend their Nations League title.

"I had an exchange with Kylian. He has a problem which is not serious. I am not going to take risks, which is why he is not in the squad," Deschamps told reporters in Paris.

"He had such an impact that we can't play in the same way," Deschamps said of losing Griezmann, who quit aged 33 after winning 137 caps.

"I am not necessarily going to change the system, but I am not going to look for an equivalent player."

France play Israel on Thursday, October 10 in an away fixture moved to Budapest due to the security situation in the Middle East.

Les Bleus, Nations League winners in 2021, will then take on Belgium in Brussels on Monday, October 14.

France have three points after their first two outings in Group A2, which is topped by Italy with six points.

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Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham United/ENG), Mike Maignan (AC Milan/ITA), Brice Samba (Lens)

Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa/ENG), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea/ENG), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan/ITA), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool/ENG), Jules Kounde (Barcelona/ESP), William Saliba (Arsenal/ENG), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich/GER)

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid/ESP), Youssouf Fofana (AC Milan/ITA), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio/ITA), Manu Kone (Roma/ITA), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid/ESP), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)

Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani (all Paris Saint-Germain), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea/ENG), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/GER), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan/ITA)