Aurélien Tchouaméni likely to miss France’s World Cup quarter

France international midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni (26) is likely to miss Les Bleus‘ World Cup quarter-final tie against Morocco on Thursday, according to Guy Stéphan. France’s assistant manager faced the media on Monday for a press conference, two days after his side’s 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the last-16 round. Les Bleus will face Morocco at Boston’s Gillette Stadium on Thursday for a rematch of the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-final (2-0).

Tchouaméni is unlikely to feature against the Atlas Lions. Stéphan said that the Real Madrid midfielder, who sustained a minor thigh lesion late last week, is expected to train away from the group at least until Tuesday. “We’ll see each day how his injury is healing, if at all. With the game coming up on Thursday, we’re a bit pressed for time.”

Tchouaméni’s absence could prove a conundrum for Didier Deschamps considering that his replacement – AS Roma’s Manu Koné – has been booked against Paraguay. Should he were to receive a yellow card against Morocco, Koné won’t be eligible to play in France’s potential semi-final.