Ousmane Dembele‘s title has been conspicuously absent from France’s squad checklist forward of their 2026 World Cup Qualifier in opposition to Ukraine on the Parc des Princes — and followers are questioning why. With Les Bleus only one win away from reserving their ticket to subsequent summer time’s World Cup in North America, the stakes may hardly be increased. Didier Deschamps’ aspect high Group D and have been dominant all through the qualifiers, unbeaten in 5 matches.
But as they put together to tackle a spirited Ukraine aspect combating to maintain their playoff hopes alive, they accomplish that with out one in every of their most electrical attacking choices. France will depend as soon as once more on Kylian Mbappe, their in-form captain who continues to guide from the entrance, whereas the staff’s depth is predicted to cowl for absentees. Nonetheless, the absence of Dembele has raised eyebrows — a void not simply stuffed given his distinctive capacity to stretch defenses and alter video games with tempo and unpredictability.
Deschamps’ males head into the match in commanding type. Sitting on the high of Group D with ten factors, France are in full management of their future. A win in Paris would assure their qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
For the French coach, nevertheless, squad choice has been something however easy. The harm checklist is rising, with Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Need Doue all sidelined. Randal Kolo Muani has additionally been dominated out after struggling a jaw harm whereas taking part in for Tottenham Hotspur. Because of this, veterans like N’Golo Kante have been recalled, and youthful abilities corresponding to Rayan Cherki and Bradley Barcola have been given the prospect to impress.
Ukraine, in the meantime, arrive in Paris as decided underdogs. Coach Sergiy Rebrov’s males are unbeaten of their final three qualifiers and wish no less than a degree to remain in rivalry for a playoff spot. The guests will as soon as once more rely closely on Ruslan Malinovskyi, whose creativity and long-range menace may very well be key in breaking down France’s defensive wall.
The thriller round Dembele’s absence
For days main as much as the match, hypothesis swirled over why Ousmane Dembele had been omitted from the French lineup. Was it a tactical alternative? A disciplinary challenge? The reply, it seems, lies in yet one more unlucky chapter within the winger’s injury-plagued profession.
In accordance with RMC Sport and Fabrizio Romano, Paris Saint-Germain confirmed that Dembele suffered a lesion in his left calf throughout their Champions League conflict in opposition to Bayern Munich. The membership mentioned he would “obtain therapy within the coming weeks,” successfully ruling him out of France’s qualifiers in opposition to Ukraine and Azerbaijan.
The incident occurred simply minutes after the winger had a aim dominated out for offside. In seen frustration, Dembele walked straight down the tunnel, signaling to the medical workers that one thing was flawed. PSG supervisor Luis Enrique later confirmed to AFP: “We should wait till tomorrow to see the outcomes of the checks, however Ousmane’s harm has nothing to do along with his final one.” Sadly, checks the next day confirmed the worst. Dembele had sustained his third muscular harm of the season, a merciless blow after simply regaining full health.
