This Saturday, the French national team will play its 2026 World Cup Round of 16 match against Paraguay at 11:00 PM CET at the Philadelphia stadium. The match involves five Paris Saint-Germain players—all French: Lucas Hernandez, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, and Ousmane Dembélé. L’Equipe and RMC Sport report that Marcus Thuram and Aurélien Tchouaméni will miss this match.
L’Equipe:
Marcus Thuram will also be unavailable for Saturday’s Round of 16 match against Paraguay, as he has been unable to resume training with the squad. “He is still on a modified training program. He is doing better; he has resumed running and will continue today (Friday),” head coach Didier Deschamps announced on Friday.
RMC Sport:
According to our information, Aurélien Tchouaméni sustained an injury on the eve of France’s Round of 16 match against Paraguay. The vice-captain felt discomfort in his thigh during training on Friday and will therefore miss the World Cup Round of 16 clash against Paraguay this Saturday in Philadelphia (kick-off at 11 PM).
This is bad news, especially for Tchouaméni, as he was expected to start. However, Les Bleus need not worry; the squad is deep. In fact, Thuram’s absence is going somewhat unnoticed, given that he has seen little playing time in this high-caliber attack.
It is still one less option for the match, which is always a nuisance—especially if the absence drags on during a World Cup that will now move very quickly. Here’s hoping France continues its run.
France’s probable lineup against Paraguay:
Mbappé
Doué – Olise – Dembélé
Rabiot – Koné
Digne – Saliba – Konaté – Koundé
Maignan.
