Griedge Mbock, appointed captain of the French team over a year ago, has been hampered by injuries and often unable to play with the national team. However, the Parisian defender is expected to play on Tuesday against the Netherlands (8:45 pm) for the 2027 World Cup qualifications.
Suffering a knee sprain (strained medial collateral ligament) after a collision during a PSG vs. Lyon match in early February, the defender, who had a serious knee injury in 2022, missed the last gathering and the first two qualifying matches for the World Cup in Brazil.
Since her appointment in late May 2025, replacing Wendie Renard, Mbock missed a significant part of Euro 2025 due to a calf injury, being replaced notably by young players Alice Sombath and Thiniba Samoura.
She also had a thigh injury this fall but managed to play three Nations League matches in November and December, including the semi-final against Germany and the 3rd place playoff against Sweden.
Facing these recurring physical challenges throughout her career, Mbock explained that injuries are part of the sport due to its physical nature, emphasizing that no one plays without pain.
Laurent Bonadei, the coach, expressed that Mbock’s absences from the team do not concern him greatly, highlighting her professionalism. However, he acknowledged the need for more defensive stability before the upcoming World Cup.
For the current training session, Mbock assured the media that her knee is in good condition, expressing no apprehension about playing. Despite wearing a bandage on her right knee, she is expected to start in central defense against Breda (Netherlands).
During the previous international window, Mbock supported her teammates from afar during wins against Ireland and Poland, staying connected with the team and coach even when absent.
She recognized the challenges of missing training camps and important moments, especially with her new role as captain, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and teamwork for the upcoming matches against the Netherlands.
