PARIS: France captain Kylian Mbappe said Les Bleus would like to remember those affected by the November 13, 2015 Paris attacks when they take on Ukraine in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday — the 10th anniversary of the tragedy that traumatized the nation.

France were playing Germany that day when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive belt near Gate D of the Stade de France, killing one passerby, during the friendly game attended by then president Franois Hollande.

The series of coordinated attacks in Paris killed 130 people. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks.

“I would like to say a few words on behalf of the France team, the staff, and the players. I don’t know if well have the chance to talk about it tomorrow,” Mbappe told a press conference on Wednesday.

“Tomorrow will be a special day. We wanted to have a thought for those affected (on November 13, 2015). We know it won’t be a joyful day, but we want to make people understand that commemorating this day is one of the important things.

“We will try to put a smile on this day but even though we are playing for qualification, we are aware that there are more important things.”

France will qualify for next years World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, if they beat Ukraine.

Ten years ago, Mbappe was not playing for the national team, but he feared for his parents, who lived in the suburbs of Paris.

“I was in Monaco watching the match, and I got some information, the Real Madrid forward said. “There was fear my parents were in Bondy. We didn’t know when it was going to stop. Playing 10 years later is special well try to pay tribute to the people affected by that tragic event.”

Thursday’s game will be played at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

There are only a few staff members who were there; “We know its part of the context of this game, said coach Didier Deschamps, who was on the France bench that night.

Among the players who were at the Stade de France on November 13, 2015, only fullback Lucas Digne will be present on Thursday.

Meanwhile, England will also be in action on Thursday as they host Serbia in their penultimate World Cup qualifier and coach Thomas Tuchel warned Jude Bellingham that the midfielder faces a fight to earn a place in starting line-up at the World Cup.

Bellingham had just returned from shoulder surgery when Tuchel opted against selecting him for the Wales and Latvia matches last month, allowing Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers to shine in the number 10 role.

Rogers’ impressive performances have presented Tuchel with an intriguing dilemma as he looks ahead to next year’s World Cup.

“Rather than finding a position for the best players to have them on the field, it is maybe better to put everyone in their best position and have a competition,” Tuchel told reporters on Wednesday when asked if he would try to fit both players into his team.

“They don’t have to be enemies and hate each other. They are respectful and they fight for the same position. Can they play together? Yes, but in a different structure and now is not the moment to change the structure.”

Tuchel, who also recalled Phil Foden after he was left out of the previous three England squads, insisted Bellingham and the Manchester City forward both seem happy to be back in the fold.

But he made it clear that England’s strong performances without Bellingham and Foden showed they are not guaranteed to waltz back into his side.

“We are obliged to drive our own standards and build what we can build. Now they are back and it is their responsibility to contribute to this and it is what they are doing. The standards are clear.”

Group ‘K’ winners England secured their World Cup berth with a 5-0 rout of Latvia in October. Tuchel has won seven of his eight matches, including six World Cup qualifiers without conceding a single goal. After hosting Serbia and travelling to Albania on Sunday, Tuchel has only two friendlies remaining in March before he has to name his World Cup squad.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2025