France vs Spain: Probable lineup for 2026 World Cup semi-final, Mbappé to start despite ankle issue

The French national team faces Spain this Tuesday in Dallas in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup. Operational after a physical issue, Aurélien Tchouaméni should regain his place in the starting eleven, while Désiré Doué seems set to continue. On the eve of the clash, Kylian Mbappé trained separately due to a sore ankle.

You do not change a winning team. Despite the strong performance by the French team against Morocco in the previous round (2-0), Didier Deschamps will slightly modify his starting eleven for the World Cup semi-final against Spain.

Tchouaméni Back in the Eleven?

Free from his physical issues, Aurélien Tchouaméni should regain his starting spot alongside Adrien Rabiot for the clash against La Roja. Absent against Paraguay and against the Atlas Lions, the Real Madrid midfielder remains one of the key figures of this French team in the staff's mind. His expected return against Spain will push Manu Koné to the bench despite his two strong performances in midfield against Albirroja and against Morocco.

In midfield, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Manu Koné each played one half during the opposition on Monday. However, the trend remains that the Madrid player will start, as already reported by RMC Sport on Sunday.

A Real Uncertainty Between Doué and Barcola

For the rest, and barring a last-minute injury, Didier Deschamps should not overhaul his team composition to face the reigning European champions in Dallas. Mike Maignan will be in goal and supported by an Upamecano-Saliba defensive partnership. Awaiting his transfer to PSG after the World Cup, Lucas Digne will start at left-back, while Jules Koundé will play on the right side of the defense.

In attack, no changes either. Unsurprisingly, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise should start. During the last session planned for Monday, Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola shared playing time. A real uncertainty still exists in the competition between the two men.

Three Players, Including Mbappé, Trained Separately

Kylian Mbappé, injured in the ankle against Morocco, will start. However, he is still bothered by this right ankle, and the French striker trained separately this Monday. After doing a jog and some passes during the first quarter-hour open to the media, the Blues captain tested himself for the match against La Roja following the heavy blow to the ankle against Morocco.

Shooting exercises that the attacker performed under the watchful eye of fitness coach Cyril Moine, who regularly asked him how he was feeling. His grimace after a shot risks reigniting concerns about his physical condition before the clash. But it is more of a precautionary measure for the Blues captain, whose starting spot tomorrow is not in question.

The offensive leader of the Blues was not the only one training separately, as Ibrahima Konaté and Warren Zaïre-Emery also had a session away from the other players. However, while the Real Madrid defender and the PSG midfielder are not key starters for this semi-final against Spain, Kylian Mbappé is the captain of the Blues, and imagining him not at 100% for the match would be a blow.

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