Jules Koundé

Jules Koundé is a confirmed defender in France's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, named by Didier Deschamps on 14 May 2026 with Malo Gusto, Lucas Digne, Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konaté, William Saliba, Théo Hernandez, Lucas Hernandez and Maxence Lacroix. The Barcelona defender is 27 at kick-off and brings 46 senior France caps into the squad as of 13 November 2025, with no international goals, making this his second senior World Cup after France's runner-up finish at Qatar 2022.

France face Senegal, Iraq and Norway in Group I, with the opener against Senegal at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on 16 June. Deschamps's side qualified by winning UEFA Group D on 13 November 2025, so Koundé's profile can stay grounded in confirmed squad status, club, position, caps, prior World Cup history and France's route into the tournament.

Koundé is a defender whose facts frame him primarily as a right-back, with centre-back also in his profile. He began as a centre-back in his Bordeaux days before shifting to right-back during his time at Barcelona, so the safest France framing is full-back work with centre-back cover.

His grounded traits are quickness plus attacking and defensive work rates. At Barcelona, he has developed a strong right-flank partnership with Lamine Yamal, which supports right-sided overlap and recovery language without claiming set-piece delivery, captaincy or a selection hierarchy.

France are a Tier 1 Goal Rush pick at £32m within the game's £200m card budget, with xG 11.8 and rank 1. The Senegal opener gives the first matchday signal before Group I continues against Iraq and Norway.

Koundé changes the France pick from the right side of the pitch. His Barcelona-honed quickness, attacking work rate and recovery speed can support overlap runs without leaving the defensive line exposed. For fantasy managers, that is full-back contribution: a wider route into attacks and enough defensive balance behind it.