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N'Golo Kanté Still Waiting to Play at 2026 World Cup

2026-07-11 · N'Golo Kanté · Player Focus

N'Golo Kanté Still Waiting to Play at 2026 World Cup

N'Golo Kanté has not yet played a minute for France at the 2026 World Cup, as the squad prepared for a semi-final on 11 July 2026. The midfielder is listed by L’Équipe among four players-goalkeepers Brice Samba, Robin Risser, defender Lucas Hernandez and Kanté-who have remained on the bench throughout the tournament.

Why hasn’t Kanté featured yet?

Deschamps has preferred a settled midfield core, relying on Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot to control the tempo. Kanté, who joined Chelsea in 2023, offers a different style-relentless ball-winning and quick transitions. Yet the French coach has stuck with the pair that delivered a 2-0 win over Morocco in the quarter-final, bringing on Warren Zaïre-Emery in the 71st minute.

How does this compare with past tournaments?

In 2018 and 2022, Deschamps gave Steve Mandanda minutes despite being second-choice behind Hugo Lloris. The pattern shows a willingness to reward squad players in the closing stages. Kanté’s situation mirrors that of Samba and Risser, who are unlikely to see action unless France reaches a third-place playoff.

What could change Kanté’s prospects?

If France advances to the final, Deschamps may rotate to keep the squad fresh. An injury or suspension to a starting midfielder would open the door for Kanté’s experience. The French midfield has already logged six matches; fatigue could become a factor, prompting a tactical tweak.

What does this mean for Kanté’s future?

Missing out on World Cup minutes at age 31 could affect Kanté’s standing ahead of the Euro 2028 qualifiers. A strong showing in the Premier League could force the national team’s hand, but the current tournament leaves him on the sidelines. Fans will watch closely for any sign-off in the semi-final or a possible third-place match.

When will the next opportunity arise?

France’s semi-final is scheduled for 14 July 2026 against either England or Brazil. A final would follow on 18 July, with a third-place playoff on 16 July if needed. Those dates represent Kanté’s only realistic chance to step onto the World Cup stage this summer.

Bottom line: As of 11 July 2026, N'Golo Kanté remains one of four French players yet to make a World Cup appearance, a situation that could shift if the tournament progresses to its final rounds.

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