2026 World Cup, Alarm in France: Star Player Out Against Paraguay

France is perhaps the national team that has impressed the most so far in the 2026 World Cup in North America. The roster of stars at Didier Deschamps’ disposal is impressive and rightfully puts the team in pole position for the title. But against Paraguay in the Round of 16 scheduled for Saturday in Philadelphia, Les Bleus will have to do without one of these stars.

Aurélien Tchouaméni will not be available for the match against the South Americans, according to French media reports. The Real Madrid midfielder has been dealing with a muscle strain in his left thigh: the medical staff and the head coach do not want to risk him, and the player will be left on the bench against the Albirroja.

Tchouaméni played the full 90 minutes in three of the French national team’s first four matches, sitting out only the game against Iraq, when he was replaced by Manu Koné. The Roma player will take his place in midfield alongside Adrien Rabiot. Otherwise, everything should remain unchanged from the match against Sweden.

This isn’t the only cause for concern for France: in Philadelphia, an emergency plan has been put in place to assist fans attending the Round of 16 match between France and Paraguay, scheduled for today at 11 p.m. Italian time (5 p.m. local time). The extreme heat forecast for the coming hours—with a heat index of up to 44 degrees—is worrying organizers, who have installed dozens of misting stations and 10 water distribution points along the route to the stadium.