Dembélé's Shocking Absence: What's Keeping the Star Winger Off France's October Squad?
France advance their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying journey throughout the October international window but must manage without their Ballon d'Or recipient Ousmane Dembélé.
Les Bleus secured victories in their opening two qualifying matches during September's international period, defeating Ukraine and Iceland to move closer to next summer's competition.
They possess the chance to preserve their flawless start when they welcome Azerbaijan before traveling to face Iceland, though Didier Deschamps cannot utilize Paris Saint-Germain sensation Dembélé for these pivotal encounters.
But what explains the versatile attacker's absence from France's squad?
Why Is Ousmane Dembélé Not Playing for France?
Dembélé will be absent from France's October fixtures due to a hamstring problem picked up while on international duty in September. The 28-year-old appeared in the 2–0 victory against Ukraine last month, coming on for injured teammate Désiré Doué, but was withdrawn in the 81st minute.
PSG expressed anger toward the France Football Federation and issued a harsh statement in September condemning their handling of injuries to Doué and Dembélé.
The statement declared: "Following confirmation of injuries to its players summoned to the French national squad, Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué—with major sporting implications for the players and the club—Paris Saint-Germain dispatched a letter to the French Football Federation urgently requesting a new medical-sports coordination protocol between clubs and the national team, more transparent and collaborative, to make player health and their medical care an absolute priority.
"Paris Saint-Germain, which oversees its players' medical requirements year-round and possesses precise and detailed information, had supplied the Federation with concrete medical data, even prior to the French national team's training camp beginning, regarding the workload its players could handle and injury risks.
"The club regrets that these medical recommendations were ignored by the French national team's medical personnel, along with the complete absence of consultation and communication with its medical staff."
Dembélé remains sidelined with the injury suffered during last month's qualifiers and has been absent for six matches for the European champions since—including one against his previous club Barcelona.
When Will Ousmane Dembélé Return?
Dembélé received a recovery timeline of roughly six weeks and might make his return following the October international fixtures. PSG resume play on Friday, Oct. 17 when they welcome Strasbourg in Ligue 1 and their key forward could be ready in some form for the match.
PSG will probably exercise caution with Dembélé's comeback but face a demanding schedule throughout the rest of October. Following Strasbourg's arrival, they travel to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League before league fixtures at Brest and Lorient prior to month's end.
Dembélé seems set to participate at some stage in October, though his precise comeback date remains unclear.