While the French team ensured participation in the 2026 World Cup on Thursday by beating Ukraine (4-0), Didier Deschamps chose to reshape his entire starting lineup this Sunday against Azerbaijan. A decision which followed a first: releasing Kylian Mbappé so that he returns to Madrid and avoids hours of plane travel. This choice does not please everyone.
Winner of Euro 2000 with Didier Deschamps and the Blues, Johan Micoud raised the subject on the L’Équipe channel during the presentation of the England team. As Thomas Tuchel has wished since he was on the bench of the Three Lions, the usual starters are practically all lined up to face Albania (6 p.m.), even though the English have qualified for the World Cup for a while.
Enough to provoke an ironic reaction from Johan Micoud, to say the least. “So all the players are there. They are not injured… The guys are qualified but the whole team is there. All players. » And to add: “So selection is important. » Regularly criticizing Kylian Mbappé, the former midfielder therefore did not miss this new opportunity to peck him.
Deschamps wants to test the replacements
The Blues will try to finish this qualifying campaign well, during which they have so far only dropped two points, in the draw conceded in Iceland on October 13 (2-2).
The eleven starters of the day in Azerbaijan will seek to prove to their coach that they deserve to be present today, and if possible when it is time to fly off for the 2026 World Cup.
