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France will be without captain Kylian Mbappe when they travel to Brussels to face Belgium in their second Group A1 fixture of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League on Monday, with the Real Madrid striker ruled out for approximately two weeks due to a knee injury.
Mbappe picked up the problem during France's opening 1-0 victory over Turkiye, a match in which he scored the decisive goal early in the second half. The strike gave Zinedine Zidane a winning start to his tenure as France head coach, but the sight of the country's all-time leading scorer limping off cast a shadow over the result. His absence leaves a significant void at the top of the French attack.
The match at the King Baudouin Stadium kicks off at 7:45pm local time (18:45 GMT), with Al Jazeera Sport providing build-up and live updates from 15:45 GMT. Both sides enter the contest on the back of opening victories, making the encounter an early opportunity to seize control of a demanding group.
Without Mbappe, France will turn to a talented attacking trio to carry the goal-scoring burden. Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue are expected to take responsibility in the final third, and each arrives in strong form. Olise was named man of the match against Turkiye and has made a sensational start at Bayern Munich, registering eight goals and four assists in seven appearances across all competitions this season.
Rayan Cherki, meanwhile, has also impressed at club level with Manchester City, scoring four goals and providing two assists. The 22-year-old could feature prominently as Zidane looks to refresh his squad during a congested run of four matches in a short period. Cherki's creativity and willingness to take on defenders offer France an alternative route to goal in Mbappe's absence.
Belgium opened their campaign with an impressive 2-0 win over Italy in Rome, a result that deepened the crisis surrounding the Italian national team as it continues its post-World Cup rebuild. Kevin De Bruyne was instrumental in that victory, delivering an assist and earning the man-of-the-match award. The experienced midfielder remains the creative heartbeat of a Belgian side in transition.
New Belgium head coach Mark van Bommel is also settling into his role, and the contest will pit him against Zidane in a meeting of two former midfield greats now navigating the demands of international management. Van Bommel acknowledged the significance of the occasion, describing Zidane as an exceptional footballer and noting that he once faced him as a player, with Barcelona against Real Madrid. He also praised Zidane's coaching ability, saying it is clear the Frenchman is a good manager.
Zidane, a 1998 World Cup winner with France as a player, returned to the coaching ranks after being appointed to succeed the previous regime following the 2026 World Cup. He has signalled his intention to rotate his squad, acknowledging the challenge of playing four matches in a short window. The most important objective, he said, is for players to get to know one another as the team builds cohesion under a new staff.
Belgium have their own injury concerns. Winger Leandro Trossard is dealing with a heel problem, while goalkeeper Mike Penders has a muscle issue. Their probable starting XI includes Senne Lammens in goal, with Timothy Castagne, Nathan Ngoy, Brandon Mechele and Maxim De Cuyper forming the defensive line. Nicolas Raskin is expected to anchor midfield, with Dodi Lukebakio, De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans and Diego Moreira supporting Charles De Ketelaere in attack.
France's absentees extend beyond Mbappe. Central midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery is sidelined with a thigh injury, and defensive midfielder Matteo Guendouzi is suspended. The probable French lineup features Mike Maignan in goal, behind a back four of Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, Maxence Lacroix and Andy Diouf. Cherki, Manu Kone and Adrien Rabiot are likely to form the midfield unit, with Olise, Doue and Dembele leading the attack.
History offers little to separate the two nations. Across 78 previous meetings, Belgium hold a narrow advantage with 30 wins to France's 29, while 19 matches have ended in draws. Their most recent encounter came in a Nations League group game in October 2024, when a double from Randal Kolo Muani secured a 2-1 victory for France.
Form guides suggest both teams are in reasonable shape. Belgium's last five matches have produced four wins and one defeat, while France have recorded three wins and two losses over the same period. The competitive nature of the fixture reflects the broader purpose of the Nations League, which was established in 2018 to replace meaningless friendlies with meaningful matches against top-ranked opposition, complete with promotion and relegation between divisions.
For Zidane, the trip to Brussels represents an early test of his ability to manage a squad missing its most influential figure. France's depth in attacking areas is considerable, but replacing Mbappe's goal threat and leadership is never straightforward. The performances of Olise, Dembele, Doue and Cherki will be scrutinised closely as France seek a second consecutive win.
For Belgium, the match offers a chance to build momentum under Van Bommel and demonstrate that the victory in Rome was more than a single strong result. De Bruyne's influence remains central, but the emergence of Diego Moreira, who has scored three goals in as many league games for AC Milan this season, provides an additional attacking dimension on the left wing.
The outcome could shape the early complexion of Group A1, with both sides eager to establish themselves among the frontrunners. With new coaches in the dugout, key players absent, and historical margins razor-thin, Monday's clash carries importance beyond the three points at stake.
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