Manu Koné’s involvement in France’s World Cup 2026 semifinal versus Spain

France faced Spain in the World Cup 2026 semifinal at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Dallas, with kickoff scheduled for 21:00 local time in Italy. Roma midfielder Manu Koné began the match on the bench after coach Didier Deschamps selected the midfield pairing of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot for the starting eleven. Early in the second half Deschamps substituted Koné in for Rabiot, giving the 22‑year‑old a chance to influence the high‑stakes game.

Koné’s appearance attracted attention from his club side AS Roma and potential suitors, as every minute in a World Cup semifinal can affect his market value. The match also carried a place in the final against either England or Argentina, heightening the pressure on the French squad and on Koné’s performance as a key bench option.

Both articles report the same details, confirming Koné’s bench start, his later introduction, and the broader context of the semifinal.