World Cup 2026: Thuram doubtful for round of 16 against Sweden, Kante also struggling
France’s backroom staff have a problem to solve ahead of Tuesday night’s round-of-16 tie against Sweden in New York. Marcus Thuram, who is feeling calf pain, did not train with the group on Sunday at Bentley University. The striker also sat out Saturday’s session with the substitutes. His chances of playing on Tuesday look slim, even if his name could still appear on the team sheet, as it did against Norway.
Kante is in doubt as well. The holding midfielder is dealing with knee pain and has been unable to join full team training for the past two days. His name is still expected to be on the team sheet, according to available information, and those close to him say there is no major concern at this stage. Two big potential absentees, with just two days to go before a knockout tie that leaves no room for mistakes.
on MathODDS
The rest of the squad stay calm before New York
Aside from those two cases, the rest of the France squad completed a fairly light session on Sunday before heading to New York, where the team will spend the night from Sunday to Monday. It was a continuation of the approach used since the start of the tournament, with no unnecessary risks taken at this stage of the competition.
Sweden, led by the devastating Isak-Gyokeres partnership that tore Tunisia apart 5-1 in the group stage, are a serious test for Les Bleus. Didier Deschamps will have to find the right answers to cover for any missing Thuram and Kante while also setting up a side capable of shutting down the two Scandinavian forwards. The answers will come on Tuesday night at MetLife Stadium.
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