Mbappé Hamstring Injury Raises Pre-Tournament Concern — Expected Back for El Clásico on May 10

Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid / France) suffered a hamstring injury that raised pre-tournament fitness concerns for France ahead of their squad announcement on May 14. ESPN's World Cup injury tracker reported on May 8 that Mbappé is expected to return to action for the Real Madrid vs. Barcelona El Clásico fixture scheduled for May 10 — an important signal for Deschamps, who has six days from today to finalize France's 26-man squad. France's medical staff will monitor his progress closely between now and the June 11 tournament opener. Mbappé is widely expected to be named in France's squad and lead their Group I campaign against Iraq, Senegal, and Norway. The hamstring concern comes alongside France's most significant confirmed absence: Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike (Achilles tendon), ruled out entirely. Beyond France, the broader pre-tournament injury landscape includes: Rodrygo (Brazil) — torn ACL, out; Eder Militão (Brazil) — thigh surgery, out; Estevao (Brazil/Chelsea) — Grade 4 hamstring, status uncertain. With provisional squads due in 3 days, medical assessments across all 48 federations are at critical juncture.