France's hopes of reaching the World Cup final have received a significant boost with confirmation that captain Kylian Mbappe is fit to face Spain in the semi-final, despite sparking injury concerns after missing a portion of training. The Real Madrid forward's absence from a segment of France's preparations ahead of the highly anticipated encounter in Dallas led to speculation, but manager Didier Deschamps quickly moved to reassure fans.
Deschamps clarified that Mbappe's reduced involvement was pre-planned and not indicative of a serious issue. "Yes, he trained," Deschamps stated when questioned about his captain's participation. "He is allowed to do 10 minutes in one drill instead of 15." Mbappe had been substituted late in France's quarter-final victory over Morocco, having appeared to sustain a minor ankle injury, though he downplayed the concerns post-match.
In further positive news for the French squad, Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is nearing full fitness following a hamstring complaint and could feature against Spain. Tchouameni has been unavailable for France's last two World Cup fixtures, but his potential return bolsters Deschamps' midfield options. "For the last match, the risk was too high," Deschamps explained. "He is better today, although we cannot say he is 100 per cent recovered. His last game was two weeks ago, but that is not prohibitive. The important thing is that he is available."
The semi-final clash offers France a chance for redemption, as they face the same Spanish side that defeated them in the Euro 2024 semi-finals, a tournament Spain ultimately went on to win. Spain's manager, Luis de la Fuente, is not reported to have any new injury worries within his squad, setting the stage for a compelling battle between two European giants.
The availability of key players like Mbappe and the potential return of Tchouameni will be crucial for France as they aim to overcome a strong Spanish side and secure a place in the World Cup final. The outcome of this encounter will undoubtedly have significant implications for both nations' World Cup ambitions.