Belgium can beat France on Monday because Les Bleus arrive without Kylian Mbappé and with a coach only one game into the job, while the Red Devils haven’t lost at home in nine matches. Mbappé’s knee tendon injury has sent him back to Madrid, and Zinedine Zidane now has to rebuild his attack on the fly. Belgium’s last win in this fixture came in a 4-3 friendly in Paris in June 2015. Five straight defeats have followed, and Brussels offers Mark van Bommel his clearest opening yet.

Eleven Years of Losing to Les Bleus

The losing run is longer and crueller than most Belgium fans like to admit. Since that win in Paris, France have taken the 2018 World Cup semi-final 1-0, recovered from 2-0 down to win the 2021 Nations League semi-final 3-2, and edged the Euro 2024 round of 16 through a Jan Vertonghen own goal.

The 2024 Nations League group then brought two more defeats, 2-0 in September and 2-1 in Brussels in October. That’s five straight losses across a decade in which Belgium owned one of the most gifted squads in their history.

Belgium vs France Nations League Mbappé Injury

Mbappé scored the only goal in France’s 1-0 win over Turkey on 25 September, then went down clutching his left knee shortly afterwards. He was replaced in the 58th minute of Zidane’s first game in charge.

The French Football Federation confirmed a knee tendon injury, and the captain has returned to Real Madrid for further assessment. Zidane admitted the knee was swollen and made it clear France won’t take any risks, which rules Mbappé out of the trip to Brussels. For Belgium, that removes a forward who arrived at this camp having scored in nine of his last nine France appearances.

Dembélé Leads a Reshaped Zidane Attack

Ousmane Dembélé is set to wear the armband and lead the line, a role he already filled against Turkey with Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki supporting from midfield. It’s a talented trio, but Dembélé isn’t a natural central striker.

Euro 2024 is a reminder that France’s attack can stall even with their captain on the pitch. The only match he didn’t start at that tournament finished goalless, so Belgium shouldn’t expect Les Bleus to find goals easily without him.

Van Bommel’s Unbeaten Run in Brussels

Van Bommel’s reign began with a 2-0 win away at Italy on matchday one. Mika Godts scored in the 20th minute, and substitute Dodi Lukebakio curled in a second from outside the box in the 69th.

Belgium are also unbeaten in nine home matches, six of them wins, going back to November 2024. Monday is the new coach’s first game at King Baudouin Stadium, and that record gives his players a confidence France can’t match right now. Leandro Trossard missed the Italy win with a bruised heel and remains a doubt. Kevin De Bruyne, who created five chances against Italy, is expected to start.

Godts and Lukebakio Hold the Key

Godts and Lukebakio produced both goals against Italy, and they’ll face a French midfield being reshuffled by a coach still learning his squad. If De Bruyne finds them early, Belgium can stretch a makeshift shape that hasn’t been tested under real pressure yet.

Home form, a settled XI and an opponent missing its most productive attacker make this the best chance Belgium have had since 2015. The Belgium vs France Nations League Mbappe injury news doesn’t guarantee a win, but it hands Van Bommel the kindest set of conditions any Belgium coach has had in this fixture for over a decade.

Is Monday finally the night Belgium ends eleven years of pain against France? Tell us your predicted score in the comments.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Mbappé playing against Belgium?

No, Kylian Mbappé will miss the Belgium match with a knee tendon injury. He was substituted in the 58th minute of France’s 1-0 win over Turkey on 25 September and has returned to Real Madrid for further assessment.

When did Belgium last beat France?

Belgium last beat France on 7 June 2015, winning a friendly 4-3 in Paris. Marouane Fellaini scored twice that night, and France have won all five meetings between the two sides since then.

When do Belgium play France next?

Belgium host France on Monday, 28 September 2026, at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. The fixture is part of Group A, with Belgium arriving after a 2-0 win away at Italy on matchday one.

Who will captain France without Mbappé?

Ousmane Dembélé is expected to captain France and lead the attack in Brussels. He already played as the central striker in the win over Turkey, with Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki supporting him from midfield.

Who scored for Belgium against Italy?

Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio scored in Belgium’s 2-0 win over Italy. Godts struck in the 20th minute, and Lukebakio, on as a substitute, curled in the second goal from outside the box in the 69th.