French football team faces setback as Ousmane Dembele, PSG forward, is anticipated to miss the World Cup qualifying game against Ukraine due to fitness issues.

With the 2026 World Cup qualifiers just around the corner, the French national team is gearing up for an exciting campaign. The squad is currently in high spirits, with key players returning to full fitness and tactical adjustments being made to the attack strategy.

One of the standout players expected to play a significant role is Aurelien Tchouameni, whose midfield authority has been instrumental in Monaco's recent success. His commanding presence in the heart of the midfield could prove vital in France's upcoming matches.

However, there is uncertainty surrounding the availability of Ousmane Dembele. The Barcelona forward is recovering from an injury, and his return is tentatively scheduled for the second qualifier against Iceland on September 9. In Dembele's absence, emerging talents like Desire Doue and Amine Gouiri could be relied upon to contribute to France's attack.

Doue, who has been impressing for Rennes, is one of the potential replacements on the left wing. However, he too is currently injured, which could necessitate other squad members or tactical adjustments by coach Didier Deschamps. The specific names of these potential replacements were not listed in the search results.

The first qualifier for France takes place in Wroclaw, Poland, against Ukraine. The match, which is a neutral venue due to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, promises to be a challenging encounter for the French team.

Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate and Juventus' Adrien Rabiot have returned to full training, offering Deschamps crucial depth. Their return will undoubtedly boost the team's morale and provide a much-needed boost to the defence and midfield respectively.

Kylian Mbappe's firepower will be crucial for France in the upcoming matches. The Paris Saint-Germain forward's goalscoring form has been impressive, and his ability to create chances and score goals will be vital in helping France secure valuable points in the qualifiers.

Tactical drills in Wednesday's session focused heavily on passing structures and wing rotations, hinting at potential changes in France's attack strategy. These changes could prove to be the difference between success and failure in the qualifiers, and fans will be eager to see how they are implemented in the upcoming matches.

As the team prepares for the qualifiers, there is a sense of optimism and determination. France, who are seeking to bounce back from their World Cup final defeat in Qatar, will be looking to put in strong performances and secure a place at the 2026 World Cup. With key players returning to form and new tactics being introduced, the team is well-placed to achieve their goal.