### Kylian Mbappé's Ankle Injury: A Setback for France Ahead of World Cup Qualifier Kylian Mbappé, the star forward for both Real Madrid and the French national team, will miss France's upcoming World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan due to inflammation in his right ankle. This decision comes shortly after he played a pivotal role in securing France's spot in the 2026 World Cup by scoring his 399th and 400th career goals in a 4-0 victory over Ukraine. The French Football Federation (FFF) has confirmed that Mbappé will undergo further medical examinations in Madrid to assess the extent of his injury, which has raised concerns about his fitness ahead of the World Cup [https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/kylian-mbappe-to-miss-frances-trip-to-azerbaijan-due-to-ankle-inflammation-10366529][https://apnews.com/article/france-mbappe-azerbaijan-ankle-53ba551d42c2334bd477116d92d20d34]. ### Breakdown of the Situation Surrounding Mbappé's Injury 1. **Injury Details**: - Mbappé is experiencing inflammation in his right ankle, which has necessitated medical tests [https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/kylian-mbappe-to-miss-frances-trip-to-azerbaijan-due-to-ankle-inflammation-10366529]. - He has returned to Madrid for these tests instead of traveling with the team to Azerbaijan [https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/kylian-mbappe-injury-france-ankle-36249958]. 2. **Impact on Team**: - France has already qualified for the World Cup, but the absence of Mbappé is a significant blow as he is a key player [https://apnews.com/article/france-mbappe-azerbaijan-ankle-53ba551d42c2334bd477116d92d20d34]. - Other players, including Manu Koné and Eduardo Camavinga, will also miss the match against Azerbaijan [https://apnews.com/article/france-mbappe-azerbaijan-ankle-53ba551d42c2334bd477116d92d20d34]. 3. **Recent Performance**: - Mbappé's recent performance included scoring two goals against Ukraine, marking a milestone in his career [https://www.republicworld.com/sports/football/kylian-mbappe-ruled-out-of-france-world-cup-qualifier-against-azerbaijan-due-to-ankle-inflammation]. - His contributions were crucial in helping France secure their place in the World Cup [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/frances-mbappe-sidelined-world-cup-qualifier-against-azerbaijan-5467976]. ### Evidence Supporting the Claims - **Injury Confirmation**: The FFF has officially stated that Mbappé is dealing with ankle inflammation, which requires further medical evaluation [https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/kylian-mbappe-to-miss-frances-trip-to-azerbaijan-due-to-ankle-inflammation-10366529]. - **Team Status**: France leads Group D with 13 points, having already secured qualification for the World Cup [https://www.republicworld.com/sports/football/kylian-mbappe-ruled-out-of-france-world-cup-qualifier-against-azerbaijan-due-to-ankle-inflammation]. - **Recent Achievements**: Mbappé's two goals against Ukraine were significant milestones, bringing his career total to 400 goals [https://apnews.com/article/france-mbappe-azerbaijan-ankle-53ba551d42c2334bd477116d92d20d34]. ### Conclusion: Implications of Mbappé's Absence 1. **Injury Management**: Mbappé's ankle inflammation is a concern that requires careful management as he undergoes tests in Madrid. 2. **Team Dynamics**: France will need to adapt without their captain and star player, which could impact their performance in the upcoming qualifier. 3. **Future Outlook**: The situation raises questions about Mbappé's fitness leading into the World Cup, highlighting the importance of his recovery for France's chances in the tournament. In summary, **Kylian Mbappé's injury is a significant setback for the French national team as they prepare for their World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan.** The team will have to navigate this challenge without one of their most influential players, while Mbappé's recovery will be closely monitored as the World Cup approaches.