France advances, but Kanté's World Cup absence continues

France stands on the brink of their third consecutive World Cup final appearance, set to face Spain in the semifinal on July 14, 2026. The French team has been dominant throughout the tournament, remaining the only side to win all their matches in regulation time.

Despite the team's success and the injury absence of Aurélien Tchouaméni, midfielder N'Golo Kanté has not featured in any games. Kanté, who has been available on the bench for most matches, is not sidelined due to injury. Coach Didier Deschamps has opted for Kouadio "Manu" Koné as his primary midfield starter, with Koné appearing in four games.

In the recent match against Morocco, Koné was substituted for Warren Zaire-Emery, further indicating that Kanté is not the next in line for a midfield role. France's strategy appears to prioritize other players over the veteran midfielder as they pursue a spot in the final.