This Thursday, the French national team will play Ukraine in a 2026 World Cup qualifier at 8:45 PM at the Parc des Princes. Five Paris Saint-Germain players will be involved in the match: four for France (Lucas Chevalier, Lucas Hernandez, Warren Zaïre-Emery, and Bradley Barcola) and one for Ukraine (Ilya Zabarnyi). Le Parisien and L’Equipe announced their likely starting lineups for Les Bleus on Wednesday, with only one question mark at left-back in a 4-2-3-1 formation where Barcola is expected to play.
Mbappé
Barcola – Cherki – Olise
Kanté – Koné
Digne or T. Hernandez – Upamecano – Saliba – Koundé
Maignan
These are all perfectly plausible choices, especially since the press is often better informed about Didier Deschamps’ intentions with the French national team than Luis Enrique’s at PSG. There’s also a logic to it, given the available players and the competition for places. Ryan Cherki is expected to start, though, a prospect anticipated by many but not yet certain.
Barcola could also start despite recent fatigue, possibly benefiting from his rest during Sunday’s match against Lyon. And perhaps with the idea of resting again on Sunday against Azerbaijan, especially if World Cup qualification is secured tonight with a victory.
We’re still waiting for confirmation of the starting lineup for tomorrow night; changes are still possible.
