Mbappe, France team to honour victims on 10th anniversary of Paris attacks
Published: 13 November 2025, 3:08:35
France captain Kylian Mbappe said the national team would pay tribute to the victims of the 2015 Paris terror attacks as they prepare to play on the 10th anniversary of the tragedy.
On November 13, 2015, coordinated attacks in Paris and near the Stade de France during a friendly between France and Germany left 130 people dead.
“Everyone knows how special tomorrow is — not in a good way,” Mbappe said ahead of France’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine. “We wanted to remember all those who lost loved ones, who were affected, hurt, whether mentally or physically. We will try to pay tribute to them, during the day and the match, by bringing some smiles, even though it’s not a joyful day.”
Most of the victims died in the Bataclan concert hall, while one person was killed near the Stade de France, where suicide bombers tried to enter during the game. The match continued despite the attacks, with France defeating Germany 2–0 in front of nearly 80,000 spectators, including then-president François Hollande.
Coach Didier Deschamps, who led the team that night, admitted he would have preferred not to play on the anniversary. “There is an obligation to remember what happened, but there is a football match to be played too,” he said.
A minute’s silence will be observed before kick-off. France, world champions in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, will secure qualification for next year’s tournament if they beat Ukraine.
