Rabiot, Doué and Koundé ruled out by supporters ahead of France-Senegal

France supporters do not approve of the expected lineup Didier Deschamps is set to field for Tuesday night’s World Cup 2026 opener against Senegal. According to a poll, three players anticipated to start — Adrien Rabiot, Désiré Doué and Jules Koundé — would be sidelined by the Blues fans.

Deschamps is expected to field the same team that played in the final warm-up match against Northern Ireland. Mike Maignan would be in goal, ahead of a four-man defence comprising Koundé, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano and Théo Hernandez. In midfield, Rabiot and Aurélien Tchouameni would form the double pivot. In attack, Michael Olise and Désiré Doué would occupy the wings, Ousmane Dembélé would play as the central attacking midfielder and Kylian Mbappé as the striker.

But this lineup is divisive. While Maignan, Saliba and Upamecano are unanimously approved, supporters favour Lucas Digne and Malo Gusto in the defensive flanks. Digne would thus receive 72% of the votes against Théo Hernandez, who gets only 28%.

In midfield, Tchouameni retains public confidence, but Rabiot would be replaced by N’Golo Kanté. In attack, Doué is the big loser: supporters prefer Rayan Cherki on the left wing, ahead of Mbappé himself. Olise, on the other hand, is favoured both on the right and in the centre, pushing Dembélé to the right wing rather than the attacking midfielder role. Mbappé himself receives 56% of the votes as the striker.

The ideal lineup according to supporters: Maignan — Gusto, Saliba, Upamecano, Digne — Tchouameni, Kanté — Dembélé, Olise, Cherki — Mbappé.