Why is Ousmane Dembele benched for France vs England FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place playoff?
(Courtesy : Getty)
Ousmane Dembele was named among the substitutes in the France vs England clash tonight.
France are taking on England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place playoff at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on July 18. Despite a podium finish being on the table, both sides have opted to field a much-changed starting lineup for tonight’s match.
Didier Deschamps, appearing in his final game in charge of Les Bleus, named several first-team players on the bench, including star attacker Ousmane Dembele. He was joined by other big names like William Saliba, Bradley Barcola, Jules Kounde, Aurelien Tchouameni, Manu Kone, and Dayot Upamecano.
Instead, Deschamps opted to play Desire Doué on the left flank. Manchester City maverick Rayan Cherki started in the No. 10 role, with Michael Olise being shifted to the right flank. Captain Kylian Mbappe kept his place in the starting lineup, with the forward chasing the Golden Boot.
Adrien Rabiot and Warren Zaire-Emery start in midfield, in front of the centre-back pairing of Maxence Lacroix and Ibrahima Konate. Theo Hernandez and Malo Gusto start as full-backs. Mike Maignan starts between the sticks.
Also Read: France vs England: Full list of substitutes for FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place match
Why is Ousmane Dembele not starting tonight?
Dembele has been in fine form in the expanded 48-team World Cup in North America. The Paris Saint-Germain attacker has scored five goals, including three in the win over Norway. He also has two assists to his name.
However, Deschamps has opted to start Cherki in the middle tonight. Despite being one of the most talented players in the French squad, he has had little game time in the tournament. Cherki starting through the middle means Olise has been shifted to the right flank.
With Doue starting on the left, Dembele has had to settle for a place on the bench tonight. However, he may make an appearance in the latter stages of the game, especially if Les Bleus fail to take the lead against the Three Lions.
Why is Ousmane Dembele benched vs England?
Didier Deschamps opted for a heavily rotated lineup and benched several first‑team stars, including Dembele.
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.