France captain Kylian Mbappé missed Tuesday’s collective training session at Clairefontaine after developing flu-like symptoms, the French Football Federation said.
The Real Madrid forward stayed at the national training base while the rest of Zinédine Zidane’s squad worked outdoors. Reuters, citing the FFF, said the illness left his availability for the upcoming UEFA Nations League window under assessment. ESPN and Associated Press likewise reported that Mbappé sat out with flu.
Tuesday’s session was the second overseen by Zidane since the squad gathered for the international break. France open Group A1 away to Türkiye in Kocaeli on Friday 25 September (20:45 local / CEST), then face Belgium away on Monday 28 September before hosting Italy and Belgium at the Stade de France on 2 and 5 October.
Mbappé remains captain under Zidane, who confirmed the armband when naming his first squad. French coverage said he had already limited Monday’s work to indoor recovery alongside other weekend club starters, meaning he has yet to complete a full outdoor session under the new coach before the flu ruled him out on Tuesday.
There has been no official timeline for a return to training and no confirmed withdrawal from the Türkiye trip. Onze Mondial and other French outlets framed a race against time for Friday if his condition improves; Reuters presented the illness as casting doubt over the Nations League fixtures rather than closing the door.
Zidane’s first camp had already been reshaped by medical absences — including Warren Zaïre-Emery’s adductor problem, which brought Maghnes Akliouche into the group — before Mbappé’s flu became the latest selection concern ahead of the new coach’s competitive debut.
Les Bleus share League A Group A1 with Italy, Belgium and Türkiye. Any further FFF medical update before Friday’s team sheet would clarify whether the captain travels and starts in Kocaeli.