France's Manager Makes Changes to Defense for Crucial 2026 World Cup Match
Jules Kounde will begin the match on the bench for France's crucial 2026 World Cup third-place match against England at Miami Stadium.
The decision to leave Kounde out of the starting lineup is the latest change in a reshuffled back line for manager Didier Deschamps, who has also brought in Maxence Lacroix and Ibrahima Konate at center-back in place of Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba.
Deschamps has treated the match as a chance to spread minutes around the squad rather than lean on his usual starters, with no trophy left to play for after Tuesday's semifinal defeat to Spain.
Photo: worldsoccertalk.com
Kounde was a fixture at right-back for most of the tournament, starting five matches and helping France to three clean sheets along the way.
He played all three group games during France's perfect run through the opening round, then delivered a composed 87-minute shift in the quarterfinal win over Morocco, contributing an interception and five clearances to help shut out the Moroccans.
Defensively sound and reliable in possession throughout, Kounde's absence from the lineup Saturday says more about a low-stakes fixture than anything about his form over the past month.
Photo: worldsoccertalk.com
France's defense has looked noticeably different from the one that carried the team through the tournament, with the changes aimed at giving other players valuable experience.
The 2026 World Cup has been marked by several surprises, and this change in France's defense is just the latest example of how teams are adapting to the competition.
Despite the changes, France's manager is still confident in his team's ability to secure the bronze medal in the tournament.
Source: World Succer Talk
