Mbappé, Tchouameni train with France ahead of World Cup semifinal

France's national football team is preparing for their World Cup semifinal clash against Spain, with key players Aurelien Tchouameni and Kylian Mbappé rejoining team training. Tchouameni, a midfielder, had been sidelined for the last two matches due to an ankle issue but is nearing full fitness and is expected to be available for Tuesday's game. His potential return raises questions about whether he will start or come off the bench, with Manu Koné and Adrien Rabiot having filled the midfield roles in recent games.

Kylian Mbappé, the team's top scorer with eight goals, also trained with the group after sustaining an ankle knock. He had assured reporters that the injury was not serious, and his participation in training further confirms his readiness. Meanwhile, central defenders Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba underwent individualized training sessions due to minor discomforts, though they are not expected to miss the semifinal.

With Tchouameni's likely availability, France anticipates having its full squad of 26 players at Didier Deschamps' disposal. The starting eleven is expected to be largely unchanged from the team that defeated Morocco in the previous round. However, there are still some tactical decisions to be made, particularly on the left flank, where Lucas Digne is a contender for the left-back position against Theo Hernández. The forward line also presents a choice between Desiré Doué and Bradley Barcola for the winger spot. The midfield selection remains a point of deliberation, with Tchouameni's return creating a selection dilemma alongside Rabiot and Koné.