Konaté Steps Up: What Saliba's Back Injury Means for Bleus
With Saliba injured (back), Konaté auditions for France against Ivory Coast. Deschamps downplays concern; Konaté's club form raises questions.
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Original football updates built from verified match and team context.
With Saliba injured (back), Konaté auditions for France against Ivory Coast. Deschamps downplays concern; Konaté's club form raises questions.
With Saliba injured, Konaté set to start for France vs Côte d'Ivoire on Thursday. Deschamps unconcerned, but Liverpool man's form under scrutiny.
RB Leipzig's Yan Diomandé admitted childhood love for PSG but remained coy on transfer, insisting focus on World Cup with Ivory Coast ahead of France friendly.
Emerse Faé, Ivory Coast coach, returns to his hometown Nantes to face France in a friendly, calling Deschamps' team 'formidable' but not World Cup favorites.
William Saliba's back injury forces France change: Konaté steps in for Ivory Coast friendly, reuniting with Upamecano. Clues for World Cup opener vs Senegal.
Didier Deschamps labels Côte d'Ivoire 'one of the best nations' as France host the 2024 AFCON winners in a pre-World Cup friendly on June 3.
Mbappé 'in top form' for 2026 World Cup, says Deschamps, as France prepares for group-stage tests against Senegal, Iraq, and Norway.
Emerse Faé leads Ivory Coast against France in Nantes, his birthplace, with Akpa's World Cup injury ruling him out and replacement Operi called up.
France defender Koundé says Côte d'Ivoire friendly is ideal World Cup prep ahead of Senegal opener on June 16, praising their physicality.
France coach Didier Deschamps confirms his lineup for the Senegal friendly, with William Saliba rested amid PSG stars' return from the Champions League final.
Tunisia kept 10 clean sheets in 2026 World Cup qualifying. Sabri Lamouchi aims to take them beyond the group stage for the first time.
Zidane's 2005 retirement U-turn, sparked by a mysterious voice, propelled France to the 2006 World Cup final. L'Equipe's new documentary revisits the decision.
William Saliba's back pain flared up in the UCL final. Arsenal's summer plan is in doubt as France evaluates his fitness for friendlies.
Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany rely on a Bayern core and face talent gaps, with captain Kimmich at right-back and criticism from Hoeness ahead of World Cup 2026.
Ecuador conceded only five goals in 18 qualifiers, finishing second. Caicedo demands more as they face Germany, Côte d'Ivoire, and Curaçao in Group E.
Chelsea's Cucurella targeted by Barça, Real, Atlético; plus Rashford future uncertain, Silva close to Barca exit, Beckham pursues Guardiola.
Marcus Thuram scored twice in France's 10v10 drill as 20 players prepared for Ivory Coast. Six UCL finalists missed out, opening doors for others.
Smallest World Cup nation Curaçao (pop. 156K) debuts with oldest coach (Advocaat, 78) vs Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast after unbeaten qualifying.
After 12-year absence, Côte d'Ivoire return to World Cup with 2023 AFCON-winning coach Emerse Faé aiming to reach quarter-finals, buoyed by Nicolas Pépé's form.
USA plays Paraguay in opener on June 12 at SoFi Stadium as World Cup schedule drops. England v Croatia, Brazil v Morocco also set. Full dates and venues here.