FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Kolo Muani out of France squad, Thauvin named as replacement

Randal Kolo Muani will miss two World Cup qualifiers this month after suffering a broken jaw and has been replaced in the squad by Florian Thauvin, the French Football Federation announced on Sunday.

The Tottenham forward «suffered an injury to his lower jaw against Manchester United on Saturday,» the FFF said.

Kolo Muani was substituted at half-time as Tottenham drew with United in the Premier League.

After the match, Tottenham manager Thomas Frank did not specify the 26-year-old Frenchman’s injury, saying only that it was «nothing major».

Kolo Muani was the second-highest active international scorer in the squad with nine goals behind Kylian Mbappé, who has 53.

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Kolo Muani became the latest attack victim of French national coach Didier Deschamps.

Paris Saint-Germain duo Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue are injured. Marcus Thuram has just returned to competition at Inter Milan after more than a month’s absence with a thigh injury and has not been called up.

32-year-old Thauvin from Lens, World Cup winner, returned to the team in October, six years after his last appearance, and scored his second international goal in a 3-0 win over Azerbaijan.

A win over Ukraine on November 13 at the Parc des Princes would ensure France’s qualification for the tournament in North America.

If The Blues If that doesn’t work, they will get another chance against Azerbaijan on November 16 in Baku.

Published on November 9, 2025