Why isn’t Aurélien Tchouaméni playing for France in the quarterfinals match against Morocco?
Tchouaméni is once more an absentee from the France team today, as Didier Deschamps’ men seek to set up a semi against Spain or Belgium.
Aurélien Tchouaméni is again absent from France’s lineup today, as Les Bleus take on Morocco in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals in Foxborough.
What’s troubling Tchouaméni?
Tchouaméni, 26, has been struggling with a thigh injury that also saw the midfielder drop out of the France team for Saturday’s last-16 win over Paraguay.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, French head coach Didier Deschamps said Tchouaméni, who is poised to extend his contract with Real Madrid, was “doing better”. However, although the player was able to take part in some of France’s final practice session on the eve of the Morocco clash, he has not regained full fitness in time to return to the side.
In the leadup to today’s game, French media had already reported that Tchouaméni had not recovered sufficiently from his injury, which he picked up in France’s final workout before facing Paraguay.
Against Morocco, Manu Koné will deputize for Tchouaméni once more, having partnered Adrien Rabiot in midfield twice before at this summer’s World Cup. The Roma player not only came into the lineup for last weekend’s 1-0 victory, but also filled in when fitness issues ruled Tchouaméni out against Iraq on matchday two of the group stage.
In all, Koné has started three games so far in North America. Against Norway in France’s final Group I game, the 25-year-old played alongside Tchouaméni in a 4-1 win.
France eye matchup with La Roja or Les Diables Rouges
Chasing the third global title in their history, France face Morocco in a repeat of the 2022 World Cup semifinal - a game that saw Les Bleus eliminate the Atlas Lions courtesy of goals by Theo Hernández and Randal Kolo Muani.
The winner of today’s last-eight clash in Massachusetts will advance to a July 14 semifinal against Spain or Belgium, who meet in the quarterfinals tomorrow.
France’s confirmed lineup vs Morocco:
Maignan, Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne, Koné, Rabiot, Dembélé, Olise, Doué, Mbappé
France vs Morocco: kickoff times, how to watch in the U.S.
This afternoon’s quarterfinal matchup kicks off at Gillette Stadium at 4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT. Viewers in the U.S. can watch the action live on Fox Network, Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, Fox One and fubo.
You’ll also have the option of following AS USA’s live-text coverage: Dane Arlauckas will be building up to France vs Morocco from about 90 minutes ahead of kickoff, before providing play-by-play commentary.
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