On the eve of a high-risk Nations League match against Israel in Paris, France coach Didier Deschamps was asked Wednesday if he had spoken with Mbappé about his decision to leave the Real Madrid forward out of his squad. Deschamps first joked that he had expected the question to be asked earlier during the press conference.

The spotlight remains fixed on Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe, even in his absence from the French national team.The 25-year-old was left out of the Les Bleus squad for their upcoming UEFA

French authorities have stepped up security in Paris ahead of a France-Israel soccer match on Thursday, hoping to avoid a repeat of violent clashes between locals and Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam last week.

Paris is bolstering security for the France-Israel soccer match at Stade de France, following recent clashes in Amsterdam. Concerns are high due to strained diplomatic ties amid the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Paris police said Sunday that 4,000 officers and 1,600 stadium staff will be deployed for a France-Israel soccer match to ensure security in and around the stadium and on public transportation a week after violence against Israeli fans in Amsterdam.