Roma midfielder Manu Kone is expected to start for France in their 2026 World Cup Round of 16 tie against Paraguay on Saturday after Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni was ruled out with a thigh injury. The match kicks off at 22:00 BST in Philadelphia.
Tchouameni reported the thigh problem during a training session, according to updates from l’Equipe and RMC cited by Gianluca Di Marzio. The setback forces Didier Deschamps to reshuffle his midfield for the knockout fixture at Lincoln Financial Field, where France will face the South American side for a place in the quarter-finals.
Kone steps into midfield pivot
The 23-year-old has already made two starts for Les Bleus during the tournament in North America. He featured alongside Adrien Rabiot in the 3-0 group stage victory over Iraq and partnered Tchouameni in the 4-1 win against Norway, though he dropped to the bench for Tuesday’s 3-0 Round of 32 success against Sweden.
Deschamps has rotated his options in the double pivot position throughout the competition, utilising combinations of Kone, Tchouameni and Rabiot. They sit behind a formidable attacking line featuring Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué and Kylian Mbappé, who have helped establish France among the tournament favourites.
Kone, who completed a permanent transfer to Roma after an initial loan spell, offers energy and tactical discipline that Deschamps values in high-stakes knockout football. His familiarity with the system, having already operated within the midfield structure during the group phase, should ease his reintegration into the starting eleven against Paraguay.
France maintain perfect record
The defending champions enter the Round of 16 fixture with a 100% record intact following opening victories against Senegal, Iraq and Norway. France advanced by dispatching Sweden earlier this week, maintaining their momentum as they seek a second consecutive World Cup title.
The winner of Saturday’s encounter will progress to the quarter-finals of the expanded 48-team tournament. Kone’s inclusion preserves the squad’s depth in central areas despite the absence of Tchouameni, who has been a regular presence for both club and country over recent campaigns.