France news

Premier League champions Liverpool have been dealt a blow after centre-back Ibrahima Konate was sent home from the France camp during the international break. Konate was called up by Les Bleus despite being forced off in the 56th minute of the Reds' 2-1 loss at Chelsea last weekend. The Liverpool star made the bench against Azerbaijan but won't travel to Iceland next week.

Kylian Mbappe limped off the pitch late on during France’s clash with Azerbaijan and will now miss Les Bleus’ World Cup qualifier with Iceland after he was sent back to Real Madrid to recover. Mbappe scored a stunner at the Parc des Princes, but scenes towards the end left fans of Real Madrid and France waiting anxiously for test result updates on the injured ankle.

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe has launched a passionate defence of Barcelona and Spain winger Lamine Yamal. There has been increased media attention on the teenage winger, who only turned 18 in July, and Mbappe has urged critics to leave the Barca star alone as he continues his establish himself as one of the best footballers in the world.

Kylian Mbappe’s stunning solo goal helped France ease to a comfortable 3-0 victory and take another giant step towards qualifying for next years’ World Cup with victory over Azerbaijan in Paris. Adrien Rabiot and Florian Thauvin were also on target, but there were worrying scenes towards the end as talisman Mbappe signalled to come off with what looked like an ankle injury.

Seeing Ousmane Dembele lift the 2025 Ballon d’Or was a deeply emotional moment for Dayot Upamecano. The Bayern Munich defender, who grew up with the Paris Saint-Germain star in Evreux, admitted that watching his France teammate and childhood friend crowned the best player in the world after a sensational season brought him to tears.

We’ve got three France vs Azerbaijan predictions as they face off in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday, 11th October.

William Saliba revealed how he's already "taken revenge" against Enzo Fernandez for the World Cup defeat with Arsenal. The French defender, now a pillar at both Arsenal and for Didier Deschamps’ national side, says France aren’t intimidated by anyone, not even Lionel Messi’s world champions.

Kylian Mbappe, who needs just six goals to become his country's all-time top scorer, believes he "can score against anyone" ahead of France's World Cup qualifying clash against Azerbaijan on Friday. His participation in the game, however, remains uncertain, with the Frenchman picking up a minor ankle sprain in Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Villarreal in La Liga last weekend.

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has teased international team-mate William Saliba about Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes, with two French defenders locking horns again in a bid to establish domestic dominance in the English top-flight. That crown currently resides at Anfield, but a thrilling start to the 2025-26 campaign suggests that north London heavyweights are ready to compete for major honours once again.

Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has been brutally told that he "will never be thought of as highly as Zinedine Zidane" by fans in France. Mbappe has won the World Cup with the national team at the age of 18 and then reached the final in the subsequent edition in 2022, where he emerged as the highest goal-scorer with eight in the tournament.

Former France international Jerome Rothen was scathing in his criticism of the French Football Federation (FFF) for their handling of Bradley Barcola's injury ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. A feud has erupted between the FFF and Paris Saint-Germain following the winger's injury, resulting in further tension in the wake of similar cases with Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue.

Kingsley Coman has once again been called up by France boss Didier Deschamps for the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches this month after the winger left Bayern Munich in the summer to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr. The 29-year-old has defended the coach's decision to keep him in the squad, claiming he is just as good as he was when called up as an injury replacement in September.

Crystal Palace hero Jean-Philippe Mateta has hinted he could leave the club in the near future as he wants to compete for the "Champions League and the biggest trophies". Mateta has displayed sublime form for Palace in recent years, having scored 30 Premier League goals in the last two seasons. The Frenchman also played a key role in the Eagles winning the FA Cup, beating Manchester City in the final.