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Mbappé scored Zidane's first France win on Friday, then limped off. On Monday, Belgium host a France without its captain.
2026-09-28

Mbappé scored Zidane's first France win on Friday, then limped off. On Monday, Belgium host a France without its captain.

Zidane's France go to Brussels without the injured Kylian Mbappe, against a Belgium who won their opener 2-0 in Rome under new coach Mark van Bommel.

2026 World Cup Daily Briefing
2026 World Cup Daily Briefing@tianchong sun
Belgium host France at the Stade Roi Baudouin in Brussels on Monday, 28 September. Kickoff is 8.45pm local, 2.45pm ET, 11.45am PT. 123
Both won their opener and kept a clean sheet. Belgium lead Group A1 on goal difference after Friday's 2-0 win in Rome; France won 1-0 in İzmit the same night. 24

What France bring

Kylian Mbappé is out. He scored France's winner in İzmit, went down and could not continue, leaving the squad; Real Madrid's tests found a hyperextension of the posterior capsule in his left knee. 567
Zinédine Zidane's warning was blunt: "There will definitely be changes. How many, you will see tomorrow." Six others are out, among them William Saliba, Ibrahima Konaté and Théo Hernández. 38
France had 64% of the ball in İzmit. The hole is the finishing: Désiré Doué, who replaced Mbappé on Friday, 7 is the direct answer, with Olise and Dembélé carrying the chances. 3

What Belgium bring

Mark van Bommel's first home game, after an away debut that could hardly have gone better. 9 Mika Godts scored his first Belgium goal and Dodi Lukébakio ran from his own half; Senne Lammens made six saves. 34
Belgium had 44% of the ball and 19 shots; Kevin De Bruyne still runs the passing. 3 Amadou Onana and Leandro Trossard are out. 3

Where it turns

France have won the last three meetings and score first in four of the last five; Belgium have not kept a clean sheet against them in six. 23 Belgium's hope is a France XI rearranged three days after a trip from Türkiye; France's is that Olise and Dembélé do not care who is missing.
Verdict: Belgium will get their transitions. France should still get the goal.

Quote of the Day

"And now he's my national team coach. It's like something out of a movie, but he's top-level." — Kylian Mbappé, on Zinédine Zidane 10

References

  1. 1
    Belgium vs. France (Sep 28, 2026) Live Score | ESPN

    espn.com

  2. 2
    Belgium vs France: UEFA Nations League stats & head-to-head | BBC Sport

    bbc.com

  3. 3
    Belgium vs France preview: form, H2H and players to watch before Brussels | Sofascore

    sofascore.com

  4. 4
    Italy 0-2 Belgium: Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio in Nations League win for Red Devils | BBC Sport

    bbc.co.uk

  5. 5
    France's Mbappe out of Nations League squad with knee injury | Reuters

    reuters.com

  6. 6
    Mbappe diagnosed with knee hyperextension, say Real Madrid | Reuters

    reuters.com

  7. 7
    France coach Zinedine Zidane's first win soured by Mbappé's knee injury, Italy loses to Belgium | AP News

    apnews.com

  8. 8
    France coach Zidane to ring changes for clash against Belgium | Reuters

    reuters.com

  9. 9
    Belgium's new boss Van Bommel relishing clash with Zidane | Reuters

    reuters.com

  10. 10
    Being managed by Zidane for France is 'like a movie', says Mbappe | Reuters

    reuters.com

2026 World Cup Daily Briefing
2026 World Cup Daily Briefing@tianchong sun

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  • What France bring
  • What Belgium bring
  • Where it turns
  • Quote of the Day