Tchouaméni’s thigh injury leaves France’s World Cup fate in the balance

France international midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni is set to miss Les Bleus’ World Cup quarter-final against Morocco on Thursday after sustaining a thigh injury.

The 26-year-old Real Madrid player will train separately at least until Tuesday, assistant manager Guy Stéphan confirmed on Monday. His absence from group training stems from a thigh lesion, Stéphan told reporters.

Les Bleus face Morocco at Boston’s Gillette Stadium in a rematch of the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-final, which Morocco won 2-0. France secured their quarter-final spot with a 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the last-16 round, played two days before Stéphan’s press conference.

“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,” Stéphan said.

Tchouaméni’s potential absence presents a tactical challenge for Didier Deschamps. AS Roma’s Manu Koné, set to deputise, is already carrying a yellow card from the Paraguay match. A further booking against Morocco would rule him out of France’s potential semi-final.

Stéphan’s update underscores the urgency surrounding Tchouaméni’s recovery timeline, with the match just days away.