Sport: Soccer Country: Italy Category: Injuries

Ousmane Dembélé named France captain as Kylian Mbappé is sidelined

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 27, 2026, 1:25 PM

Last updated Sep 27, 2026

Ousmane Dembélé named France captain as Kylian Mbappé is sidelined

Summary

Ousmane Dembélé is set to captain the French national team as Kylian Mbappé will miss upcoming matches against Belgium and Italy due to injury. Dembélé, who has 68 international caps, will lead a squad with several other experienced players rising in the ranks. Coach Zinédine Zidane favors seniority for leadership roles, which aligns with Dembélé's selection. Adrien Rabiot and Jules Koundé are among the players also moving up as Mbappé sits out. The team now prepares for the upcoming international fixtures without their star player.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Dembélé will captain France in Mbappé's absence.
•Mbappé is injured and out against Belgium and Italy.
•Zidane favors seniority for leadership roles.
•Rabiot and Koundé will also assume greater roles.
•France prepares for matches without their star player.

Latest Updates

1:25 PMYahoo Sports — Ousmane Dembélé to step up as France captain in Kylian Mbappé’s absence

What they're saying

"
Ousmane Dembélé (29) is expected to take over the captain’s armband in the absence of Kylian Mbappé (27), injured and ruled out of the matches against Belgium and Italy, according to reports in L...
— Yahoo Sports

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Soccer