Zidane names Dembele as France captain after Mbappe injury

Kylian Mbappe misses out with a knee injury, leaving Ousmane Dembele to lead the team.

Written by the BettingEdgeHub desk, 27 September 2026

France head into their next Nations League match without their main talisman after Kylian Mbappe suffered a knee issue. The Real Madrid forward scored the only goal against Turkiye before limping off the pitch. His absence is a massive blow for punters who usually back him in the goalscorer markets.

Zinedine Zidane has total confidence in Ousmane Dembele to wear the armband. Dembele created four chances and caused constant problems in the box during the opening win. Bettors looking at creative player props might want to keep a close eye on his numbers moving forward.

Squad changes expected

Zidane confirmed that he plans to make several alterations to his starting lineup for the trip to face Belgium. The quick turnaround means fresh legs are vital for the upcoming fixture. Punters should wait for official team sheets before placing bets on goal margins or correct scores.

Group standings remain tight as France sit level on points with Belgium ahead of this crucial clash. Zidane started his tenure with a win, becoming the first French coach to achieve that feat since the nineties. Bettors assessing the outright group winner market will find this fixture very telling for future wagers.

What it means for a bet

The absence of Mbappe might drift France slightly in the match odds, offering better value for those backing them to win.

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