Mbappe ruled out as Italy host France at San Siro for Nations League group decider

Kylian Mbappe will miss France’s UEFA Nations League trip to Italy after Real Madrid ruled him out with a hamstring problem, coach Zinedine Zidane said. France play at San Siro in Milan on Thursday, November 12, 2026, with kick-off at 20:45 CET.

It is the second Italy vs France meeting inside five weeks. The two sides shared the points in a 1-1 draw on October 2, with goals from Randal Kante-wait-sources name Olise and Bastoni in the reports that announced the rematch. Il Messaggero said Italy are second in the group while France are pressing for top spot in Group A1.

Mbappe ruled out, Tonali and Calafiori among expected starters

Mbappe’s absence is the biggest team news before the match. Zidane said the Real Madrid forward is carrying a hamstring injury and added that he could return by Sunday, when France travel to Turkey in Bordeaux.

Italy are expected to start Sandro Tonali and Francesco Pio Esposito, while predicted lineups from Get French Football News back Riccardo Calafiori to start at the back in Roberto Mancini’s side. The Azzurri come into Matchday 5 of the 2026-27 Nations League knowing points are needed against Zidane’s France, who drew 1-1 with Italy in the first meeting and are trying to strengthen their grip on first place.

The October draw hangs over a two-sided Group A1 race

Italy and France meet as European powers fighting for quarterfinal positioning. Il Messaggero’s preview calls it the second act after the October 2 stalemate, with Olise and Bastoni having scored in that game. Italy sit second in the group behind France, and the November 12 fixture at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium gives Mancini’s side a direct chance to close the gap.

France, meanwhile, are aiming to extend their hold on the League A Group 1 lead before Sunday’s trip to Turkey in Bordeaux. The News18 report framed Thursday’s match as part of that run, not a standalone friendly. The BBC and Al Jazeera have published Nations League stats and preview coverage for the fixture, but the injury news dominating the build-up is Mbappe’s absence.

Where and when to watch the match

The match kicks off at 20:45 CET at Milan’s San Siro, also known as the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. Mashable has published guide details on watching Italy vs France online for free, while broadcasters such as Yahoo Sports and the Evening Standard listed kick-off time, TV channel and live-stream options for today’s fixture. Indian viewers should check local listings for the CET start time.

Bolavip said both European sides are battling for quarterfinal positioning, making this more than a prestige friendly. For travellers or fans planning around the game, the key details are simple: Milan, November 12, San Siro, 20:45 CET.

Prediction and odds point to France and goals

Covers.com tipped France to win and sided with the Over 2.5 goals market ahead of the UEFA Nations League match on November 12. That is a market view, not a result, and it comes after France sealed the October first meeting with a late equaliser before finding the net again through Olise in the draw.

Mancini’s job is to prevent Italy from becoming the first team to lose at San Siro in the campaign, while Zidane must reorganise a France attack missing Mbappe. With Sunday’s Turkey fixture next, the immediate question is whether Mbappe’s recovery timetable holds – Zidane said he could be back by Sunday.