Mbappe, France team honour victims of 2015 Paris attacks ahead of Ukraine clash

Mbappe, France team honour victims of 2015 Paris attacks ahead of Ukraine clash

France captain Kylian Mbappe says the national team will dedicate their upcoming match to the memory of victims of the November 13, 2015 Paris terror attacks, as the country marks the 10th anniversary of the tragedy.

Les Bleus face Ukraine in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday — exactly a decade after coordinated terrorist assaults across Paris and near the Stade de France claimed 130 lives.

“Everyone knows how special tomorrow is,” Mbappe said on Tuesday. “Not in a good way. We want to remember all those who lost loved ones, who were affected, hurt — whether mentally or physically.

“We will try to pay tribute to all these people during the day and during the match, by putting smiles on the faces of those who come to the stadium, even though we know it’s not a joyful day.”

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Most of the victims perished at the Bataclan concert hall, where gunmen opened fire during a performance by the American rock band Eagles of Death Metal. Others died in coordinated shootings across the capital, while one person was killed outside the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, where suicide bombers attempted to enter during a friendly between France and Germany.

The stadium, packed with nearly 80,000 spectators including then-President François Hollande, remained on lockdown as the match continued. France went on to win 2–0 despite the chaos unfolding beyond its walls.

Reflecting on the somber anniversary, head coach Didier Deschamps — who led the team that night — admitted he would have preferred not to play on the date of the tragedy.

“It would have been better if we could have avoided playing on November 13,” Deschamps said while announcing his squad last week. “There is an obligation to remember what happened, but there is also a football match to be played.”

A minute’s silence will be observed before kick-off at the Stade de France in honour of the victims.

France, World Cup champions in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, will qualify for next year’s tournament with a game to spare if they defeat Ukraine.

Mbappe, France team honour victims of 2015 Paris attacks ahead of Ukraine clash