Ibrahima Konaté Withdraws from French National Team Due to Injury; Benjamin Pavard Joins as Replacement

French national team defender Ibrahima Konaté could not recover in time for the match against Iceland and is returning to Liverpool.

Details: Konate picked up an injury while playing for Liverpool against Chelsea but was called up to the French squad nonetheless. He did not take part in any training sessions with Les Bleus and will now head back to his club.

Coach Didier Deschamps has brought in Inter defender Benjamin Pavard, currently on loan at Marseille, to replace him.

🤕 Touché au quadriceps droit lors de son dernier match avec Liverpool, Ibrahima Konaté a suivi des soins et un protocole depuis son arrivée ce lundi mais ne pourra pas tenir sa place face à l’Islande.

👉 Benjamin Pavard est appelé en renfort et rejoindra le groupe à Reykjavik. pic.twitter.com/TLWFuttaAQ

— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) October 11, 2025

Pavard had been called up for the September World Cup 2026 qualifiers but did not play.

Reminder: Before the match against Azerbaijan, Samuel Umtiti received a special award from the French national team.