Bradley Barcola & Aurelien Tchouameni set to start against Spain in FIFA World Cup 2026
(Courtesy : Getty)
Tchouaméni has returned from an injury to feature in FIFA World 2026 semifinal.
Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and Bradley Barcola are expected to start for France against Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semifinals tonight.
Tchouaméni has spent the previous few days rehabilitating from a thigh injury sustained during the Group Stage, but it appears he will be fit to play and replace Koné in Deschamps’ starting lineup.
France set for change in starting lineup vs Spain
Moreover, Bradley Barcola is set to be rotated into the starting lineup and will start ahead of Desire Doué in the semi-final match.
Tchouaméni’s participation will improve France’s chances of reaching the Final. He has been an important midfielder in Deschamps’ strategy, and Spain will pose a difficult test in that midfield line.
Didier Deschamps also confirmed that Aurelien Tchouameni is available:
“In the last match, the risk was too high. He is better today. We cannot say that he is 100% recovered. This is a World Cup semi-final. The last match he played was 15 days ago, which is not a deal-breaker either. Today, he is available.”
Meanwhile, Barcola will be trusted with the starting spot, despite Doué being favoured ahead of him in most of the matches.
While Aurélien Tchouaméni did not have the finest season with Real Madrid, he established himself as a starter for France in the 2026 World Cup.
Despite not being the most visually appealing player on the squad, he has played an important role in the high press, dictating the game’s tempo.
Furthermore, he has formed a strong bond with Adrien Rabiot, who plays more as a box-to-box midfielder, moving freely yet remaining solid defensively.
Meanwhile, Barcola will form an attacking threat with Mbappe and Olise as the trio will be trusted with supplying the goals against a side they have lost in last two matches in two different competitions.
Which injury did Aurelien Tchouameni suffer?
He picked up a thigh injury.
Where will the Spain and France game be played?
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, United States.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.