Deschamps surprises by sending Doué to press conference before France-Paraguay

Didier Deschamps chose Désiré Doué to address the media on Friday, on the eve of the 2026 World Cup round of 16 between France and Paraguay. A choice that breaks with usual practice, according to France Info.

Generally speaking, the manager relies on a highly experienced player or an expected starter for pre-match press conferences. Yet Doué came off the bench as a substitute in the round of 16 against Sweden, and is expected to start on the bench again against Paraguay — Bradley Barcola being announced in the starting lineup.

This is not the first time Deschamps has disrupted tradition at this World Cup. Kylian Mbappé, captain of the Blues, has only taken the podium once since the start of the tournament, before the opening match against Iraq. N’Golo Kanté replaced him before Senegal, Aurélien Tchouaméni before Norway, then Adrien Rabiot before Sweden.

Doué’s presence at the press conference has nonetheless fuelled speculation: could the manager give him a place in the starting eleven against Paraguay? The likely lineup announced remains as follows — Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Tchouaméni, Rabiot; Dembélé, Olise, Barcola; Mbappé — but Deschamps has already shown at this World Cup that he is not afraid to surprise.