France have been dealt a significant setback just hours before their 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against Paraguay.

According to reports from RMC Sport, which were later confirmed by L'Équipe, midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni has been ruled out of tonight’s fixture, scheduled to kick off at 11 p.m.

The Real Madrid star and vice-captain of Les Bleus is said to be suffering from a thigh injury. In his absence, coach Didier Deschamps is expected to turn to Manu Koné, who featured in France’s last two group-stage matches.

Despite this setback, RMC Sport has indicated that Tchouaméni should recover in time to be available for a potential quarter-final appearance — provided France advance from Saturday evening’s clash.

This development comes as a major blow to the French camp, with Tchouaméni having been a key figure in Deschamps’ midfield setup throughout the tournament.

📸 Photo: Buda Mendes - 2026 Getty Images