Full Breakdown
Belgium vs France Nations League showdown set for September 28
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On Monday, September 28, Belgium will host France at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels for the second match-day of UEFA Nations League 2026-27, Group A1. The fixture follows each side’s opening-match victories—Belgium 2–0 over Italy and France 1–0 over Türkiye. France will be without captain Kylian Mbappé, who suffered a knee injury in the Türkiye game and is expected to miss the remainder of the international window. Both teams will line up with new head coaches: Mark van Bommel for Belgium and Zinedine Zidane for France.
Background & Context
The match marks the first competitive meeting between the two newly appointed managers. Historically, the rivalry is tightly contested: out of 78 meetings, Belgium have 30 wins, France 29 and 19 draws. Recent head-to-head form favours France, which has won the last five encounters, while Belgium’s most recent victory over France came in 2015.
Data & Statistics
- Head-to-head: 78 matches – Belgium 30, France 29, draws 19.
- Recent form (last five): Belgium W-L-W-W-W; France W-W-L-L-W.
- Injuries: France – Mbappé (hyper-extension of left-knee posterior capsule, diagnosed September 26), midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery (thigh); defender Matteo Guendouzi (suspension). Belgium – winger Leandro Trossard (heel), goalkeeper Mike Penders (muscle); goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (self-exclusion).
- Predicted line-ups: Belgium likely to start with Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans and Charles De Ketelaere up front; France expected to field Michael Olise, Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé alongside Rayan Cherki.
Official Statements & Responses
Zidane, speaking to French broadcaster TF1, said the team will not take any risks with Mbappé and that the player will return to Real Madrid for treatment. Real Madrid’s medical services confirmed on September 26 that Mbappé suffered a hyper-extension of the posterior capsule of his left knee.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Real Madrid’s statement specifies a hyper-extension of the posterior capsule, several French outlets describe the injury more generally as a “tendon injury.” Both descriptions stem from the same medical assessment, leaving the precise nature of the damage unsettled. No official timeline for recovery has been provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “ Mark van Bommel (Belgium): “It is special to coach against someone like that.” — Mark van Bommel, Belgium coach
- “The news is not good because he will have to return home,” — Zinedine Zidane, France coach
What’s Next
France’s remaining Nations League fixtures include a second meeting with Belgium in Paris and a clash with Italy, all scheduled within the current international window. Belgium will look to build on its opening-match momentum as it prepares for the return leg against France later in the month. Both sides will have to adapt tactically to the absence of Mbappé and the fitness concerns surrounding several Belgian players.