There is no doubt, Kylian Mbappé (26 years old) has once again become an indispensable element. Already master of the game in Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé is also the most decisive player with the France team since the start of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Scorer against Ukraine, then against Iceland in September, it was also the French captain who broke the deadlock against Azerbaijan on Friday evening (3-0). His injury contracted at the end of the match reassured Real Madrid since he should return to training with his teammates next week, but it will deprive Didier Deschamps of his captain for the decisive match in Iceland on Monday (8:45 p.m.).
What number 9 in Iceland?
Without Kylian Mbappé or Marcus Thuram – injured and not called up – the French coach has two options in this position, starting with Hugo Ekitiké. After an encouraging debut on the wing against Azerbaijan, the Liverpool striker believes he has not shown his full potential: “I was a little frustrated at half-time because I know I can bring a lot more to the game, I had a pivotal role in the first half and I found that I wasn't helping the team enough”he expressed in the mixed zone.
Another option, Jean-Philippe Mateta (28 years old). Coming into play for the last ten minutes, he did not have many opportunities to impact the match, but his profile could correspond to the 4-2-3-1 favored by Didier Deschamps, the 4-4-2 attempted on Friday not having really borne fruit. “In the first half, we hummed, we lacked speed in ball circulation, verticality”recognized Didier Deschamps. He could be tempted to return to 4-2-3-1 to place Michael Olise at the heart of the game, behind Hugo Ekitiké or Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Florian Thauvin rewarded?
But whatever the system, leaders will have to raise the bar. Like Michael Olise, who will have to show himself as leader of the attack, he who “did not have his best match, he had more waste on the technical level”according to Didier Deschamps. Kingsley Coman could also find a right wing where he is more comfortable. Alongside him, Florian Thauvin could also start after his dream debut against Azerbaijan, who still gained points against the competition.
Because Maghnes Akliouche still seems too shy to start in Iceland, and the system does not really help Christopher Nkunku, used to playing with two attackers at AC Milan. For the rest, the composition should also change compared to that aligned in Paris, since Jules Koundé should regain his starting place, Lucas Digne could start behind Manu Koné and Eduardo Camavinga in the middle. Ibrahima Konaté, forfeited, was replaced by Benjamin Pavard. But we will have to show more in Iceland, with the possibility of already obtaining a ticket for America and the 2026 World Cup.
