World Cup 2026: Aurélien Tchouaméni will not play against Paraguay!

04.07.26 FT World Cup

Paraguay

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France

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On the eve of their round-of-16 clash, Didier Deschamps has been dealt an untimely blow that threatens to unsettle his midfield setup. France will have to navigate their upcoming World Cup knockout fixture against Paraguay without the services of Aurélien Tchouaméni, as confirmed by reports from RMC Sport.

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The vice-captain was forced to cut short Friday's training session after experiencing discomfort in his thigh. Medical assessments have since indicated that his recovery is likely to span approximately four days, which rules him out of the immediate knockout encounter.

However, there remains a glimmer of hope for the French camp: should the reigning champions successfully dispatch their South American opponents, Tchouaméni could be fit enough to feature in the quarter-finals scheduled for July 9.

For now, the player's rehabilitation will be closely overseen by the national team's medical department, with daily updates expected as they track his progress. In the meantime, Deschamps is expected to turn to AS Roma's Manu Koné, who appears poised to step into the starting eleven and fill the void left by his sidelined teammate. The reshuffle adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already high-stakes encounter for Les Bleus.

Hazem Mlhem |

Editorar, en

Hazem Mlhem est un rédacteur sportif expérimenté, animé par une passion pour le football africain.

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