Mancini Advises Mbappé to Skip Italy Match
France's Kylian Mbappé will miss the UEFA Nations League clash in Milan on Thursday with a hamstring injury.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Soccer
Italy coach Roberto Mancini advised Kylian Mbappé not to play against Italy, and Mbappé will miss France's UEFA Nations League match in Milan due to a hamstring injury. France is without several other players after injuries to Tchouaméni, Thuram, Dembélé, Akliouche and Lepaul.
Why it matters
France's absence of its leading attacker and a string of injuries heading into the match could alter the balance of Group One in the UEFA Nations League. The result will shape the race among France, Italy and Belgium for the group's top position.
France holds 10 points from four Group One matches, one point more than Italy's 7 and four more than Belgium's 6, while Turkey remains on zero. The first meeting between France and Italy in this competition ended 1-1, and it is not yet known whether Mbappé will be available for the next round.
The players
Kylian Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé is a French forward widely regarded as one of the world's leading footballers, who is sidelined by a hamstring injury.
Roberto Mancini
Roberto Mancini is the former Italy national team coach known for leading the country to victory at UEFA Euro 2020.
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane is a former France midfielder and World Cup-winning player who now coaches the France national team.
The details
Zinedine Zidane confirmed at a press conference that Mbappé will not play, saying France will not take a risk with the forward who felt pain. Zidane also called up Elye Junior Kroupi to replace Thuram and turned to Maghnes Akliouche after Tchouaméni left camp with an injury.
Timeline
Thursday: France face Italy in Milan in the UEFA Nations League.
Sunday: Italy meet Belgium in Brussels, the date Mbappé is hoped to return.
Season Trajectory
France's rematch with Italy follows the 1-1 draw from their first meeting in this group. A result in Milan will help determine whether France can extend its lead over Italy and Belgium in Group One.
Mbappé's absence removes France's most dangerous attacking option for Thursday, which will affect fantasy rosters and betting lines for the match. Group One standings remain tight, so a single result in Milan or Brussels can shift the top spot.
The takeaway
Injuries to key players can reshape a tournament group quickly, so monitoring fitness updates ahead of each match is essential for anyone following the race. Watch Sunday's Italy-Belgium result, since Mbappé's availability could depend on it.
What happens next
Italy host Belgium in Brussels on Sunday, the match where Mbappé is hoped to return from injury.
Further reading
For more on the teams and tournaments shaping this result, browse the latest Soccer coverage.
