Real Madrid midfielder to be out for four days after fresh knock at the World Cup | OneFootball

France remain the team to beat in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, having comprehensively beaten Sweden in the Round of 32 to advance to the next round.

The 2018 world champions are set to face Paraguay in the Round of 16. But heading into that fixture, France will have to deal with a fresh absentee in the form of Aurelien Tchouameni.

The Real Madrid midfielder had picked up a knock during training and is likely to be ruled out for the Paraguay match.

Tchouameni to be out for four days

According to RMC Sport, MRI scans have shown that Tchouameni’s injury is minor and there is nothing to be worried about.

Tchouameni has been a key player for France. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Nevertheless, the injury will require special caution and vigilance from the medical team, meaning he is sure to be out for the Paraguay game.

This is a concern for the French national team given that Tchouameni has been a regular starter for Les Bleus so far in this tournament.

The report adds that Tchouameni will be out for four days and the medical team will continue to monitor his fitness during this period.

Everything suggests the Real Madrid midfielder will be replaced by Manu Kone in the middle of the park for France, though N’Golo Kante and Warren Zaire-Emery are also options for coach Didier Deschamps.

When will Tchouameni return?

Tchouameni will not be available for the Paraguay match. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

If Tchouameni is indeed sidelined for four days, he might only be able to play the quarterfinal round, which, if France qualifies, will take place on July 9.

But given his knock and caution around his fitness, there could be serious question marks over his ability to feature for the entirety of ninety minutes. A safer bet, therefore, will be the semifinals.

As far as Real Madrid are concerned, they should feel safe as Tchouameni’s knock is not too serious and the player should be able to return to full fitness by the time he returns to Santiago Bernabeu.

It will be interesting to see how new coach Jose Mourinho utilises the French international in the middle of the park, as he looks to usher in a new era at the Bernabeu.