Désiré Doué Is Starting, William Saliba Is Injured, and France Fans Are Nervously Sweating Their World Cup Opener

Alright, fam, listen up! The World Cup is about to kick off, and if you thought France was going to stroll into their opener against Senegal, think again. We just got the predicted XI from L'Équipe, and there are some absolute shockers and big questions that are gonna have Les Bleus supporters biting their nails right to the final whistle. Seriously, this is the kind of early season drama that gets you hooked, and it's not even our Emerald City teams! But the tension, man, it's palpable.

The Doué Gamble: Why France Is Rolling The Dice On The Left Wing

First up, the left wing. This has been a massive talking point. Marcus Thuram got the start there in a warm-up against Ivory Coast, but it was Désiré Doué who started against Northern Ireland. And let's be real, he struggled in that match. There were even whispers, strong whispers, that Bradley Barcola might get the nod over his Paris Saint-Germain teammate. But nope. L'Équipe is reporting that it will be Doué who officially gets the start. That's a bold move, especially after a shaky performance! You gotta wonder if the coaching staff is banking on his raw talent to just explode in a high-pressure situation, or if this is a risky gamble for their first game on the world stage. Elsewhere in the attack, it looks like Michael Olise is being pushed out to the right, with Ousmane Dembélé slotting into the No.10 role, which is a big deal for creativity.

Saliba's Back Woes: A Huge Defensive Risk For The Opener?

And if that wasn't enough to make you sweat, let's talk about the defense. The second huge question mark hanging over France is the fitness of Arsenal defender William Saliba. This dude has been battling a back injury, and honestly, that's not something you want your key defender dealing with right before a tournament like this. Despite still contending with the injury, he is expected to start for Les Bleus against Senegal. Expected! That's a massive call for a World Cup opener. Is he going to be 100 percent? Can his back hold up against the physicality of Senegal? You never want to see a player go into a critical game like this compromised. The predicted backline, if he starts, looks strong on paper: Mike Maignan in goal, with Théo Hernandez, Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, and Jules Koundé across the back. But Saliba's health is the hinge. So, when France steps onto the pitch Tuesday night against Senegal, every single eye is going to be on Doué on that left wing and Saliba in the heart of defense. This isn't just a game, it's the start of their World Cup journey, and these early decisions are EVERYTHING. Can they overcome the question marks? You already know I'll be glued to the screen, screaming at the TV like it's the 12s on game day. Let's GO!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.