France announced that Kylian Mbappé missed Tuesday's training session after contracting the flu. The absence limits options ahead of the upcoming friendly.
France's national football team confirmed that Kylian Mbappé missed Tuesday's training session on 22 September 2026 at the team's camp because he contracted the flu.
Injury details
Head coach Didier Deschamps said the 24‑year‑old forward showed flu‑like symptoms early this morning, including a mild fever and cough. Medical staff advised rest and avoidance of physical exertion to prevent the illness from worsening.
- Age: 24
- Position: Forward
- Condition: Acute influenza
Mbappé's absence comes ahead of a friendly against Albania scheduled for 26 September, a match in which he is expected to be a key goal‑scoring option. Deschamps indicated that preparations will continue as planned, with substitutes such as Olivier Cherpill and Antoine Griezmann stepping into the attacking line‑up.
Impact on preparation
Despite the star's unavailability, the coach stressed that squad morale remains high and that the session will focus on tactical cohesion. Mbappé's health is being closely monitored, and a return will be announced once he meets the medical clearance criteria.
Mbappé has previously dealt with similar health setbacks during past tournaments, but he typically recovers quickly after a short rest period. Analysts predict he could rejoin training by the end of the week, giving him a chance to feature in the upcoming friendly.
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