Kante could start in the match against Morocco.
Early morning (July 10th, Vietnam time), the French national team will face Morocco in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup. It is highly likely that defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni will not recover from his thigh injury in time to participate in this match. The 26-year-old missed "Les Bleus'" 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the round of 16 and is still racing against time to return.
Assistant coach Guy Stephan admitted that Tchouameni's situation remains a cause for concern. Stephan stated: "We will monitor his recovery day by day. With the match on Thursday, Aurelien's chances of playing are very low."
Besides facing injury concerns, the French national team also has to consider the risk of suspensions. Midfielder Manu Kone received a yellow card in the match against Paraguay and will be banned from the semi-final if he receives another card in the clash against Morocco. Therefore, the "Les Bleus" coaching staff is considering resting or limiting the use of the AS Roma player to avoid any risks.
In this context, Kante emerges as a reliable option thanks to his extensive experience in major tournaments. The midfielder has won the Premier League with Leicester City and Chelsea , and was a key player in France's 2018 World Cup victory. If he plays against Morocco, it will be his first World Cup appearance since the final against Croatia eight years ago.
However, Kante is not the only option. Young talent Warren Zaire-Emery is also fiercely competing for a starting spot. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder is highly regarded for his abundant energy, ball control, and versatility. Both Kante and Zaire-Emery are vying to partner Adrien Rabiot in the heart of the "Les Bleus" midfield.