Confirmed: Mbappe makes history, Tchouameni returns as Real Madrid duo start for France vs Spain

Confirmed: Mbappe makes history, Tchouameni returns as Real Madrid duo start for France vs Spain In a little over an hour, France take on Spain in the first semifinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Dallas Stadium. Ahead of kickoff, Les Bleus manager Didier Deschamps has announced the starting lineup that will take the field against the 2010 world champions tonight. Mbappe starts, Tchouameni back And, two Real Madrid stars feature from the get-go for France, with captain Kylian Mbappe spearheading the attack for his team, while Aurelien Tchouameni makes a return to the team. With his start against Spain, Mbappe has now become the French player with the most World Cup appearances in history, with 21 matches, going past Hugo Lloris (20). While Mbappe has been a permanent fixture in the starting XI for Les Bleus , Tchouameni did not feature in the last two matches as he was recovering from a minor injury issue. Having fully recovered, the midfield ace returns to the team replacing Manu Kone as Adrien Rabiot’s partner in the centre of the park. Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s Galactico summer target Michael Olise also features in the France lineup, occupying his regular position on the right flank. Real Madrid summer signing Ibrahima Konate, however, continues to warm the bench for the 2018 World Cup winners. Both Tchouameni and Mbappe will come up against their new Real Madrid teammate, Marc Cucurella, who starts at left-back for Spain in the semifinal.