According to reports from French sports media, Désiré Doué is the frontrunner to start on the left wing for France in the World Cup semi-final against Spain on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Dallas. The decision comes after a positional battle with his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Bradley Barcola, which has been a recurring theme of the tournament.
Doué, 21, has impressed in recent matches with his pace and dribbling, while Barcola has also featured. The choice between the two friends and club colleagues has been a key subplot for coach Didier Deschamps.
Meanwhile, midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni is nearing a return from injury. The Real Madrid player has been recovering from a foot problem and could be available for the semi-final, though his fitness remains to be confirmed.
France reached the semi-finals after a 2-1 victory over Portugal in the quarter-finals on July 9, 2026. Spain advanced by defeating Germany 2-1 in extra time on July 5, 2026.
