France continue their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign during the October international break but will have to cope without their Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé.
Les Bleus were victorious in their first two qualifiers during the September break, beating Ukraine and Iceland to edge towards next summer’s tournament.
They have the opportunity to maintain their perfect record when they host Azerbaijan and then visit Iceland, but Didier Deschamps is unable to call upon Paris Saint-Germain star Dembéle for crucial clashes.
But why is the versatile forward missing for France?






