Chouaméni’s World Cup Dream: France, Ancelotti’s Advice, and a Deschamps Farewell Countdown
18 November 2025
Overview
Aurélien Chouaméni, Real Madrid’s midfield star, aims to win the 2026 World Cup with France, while also revealing the advice his former coach Carlo Ancelotti gave him before the Italian left Real Madrid.
France heads into the 2026 World Cup after lifting the 2018 trophy in Russia and finishing runner up in 2022 in Qatar.
Chouaméni told LEquipe that he is calm, that France has everything they need, and that they want to give Didier Deschamps the final gift.
Deschamps confirmed that the upcoming World Cup will be his last as France coach and that he will step down after the tournament.
Regarding Ancelotti’s counsel, Chouaméni recalls that the holding midfielder should operate inside the designated penalty area region.
On fixture congestion, he noted that they play a lot, bodies are under great pressure, the facts do not lie, there are many injuries, and this stems from the increasing number of games.
He added that roles evolve, but the dressing room remains friendly, they can tell each other the truth, and teammates at Real Madrid say that his team is great.
Deschamps, Ancelotti, and the World Cup Roadmap
Deschamps, now 57, has guided France through a storied era. He lifted the 1998 World Cup in France and the Euro 2000 title, then took over in the summer of 2012 following Laurent Blanc’s tenure. His time in charge has spanned more than a decade, marked by highs and lows and notable clashes with stars such as Karim Benzema.
In the current year, Deschamps led France in 10 matches, recording seven wins, one draw, and two losses to Croatia in the Nations League quarterfinals and to Spain in the semi in June in Germany. The team scored 24 goals and conceded 11, and claimed a bronze in the Nations League with a 2-0 win over Germany to seal third place.
In November, Deschamps steered his squad to a seventh World Cup appearance under his leadership, the eighth in total, including four straight campaigns. He had previously guided France to the 2018 World Cup victory in Russia and to the dramatic runner-up finish at Qatar 2022 after a penalty shootout defeat to Argentina following a 3-3 draw in regular and extra time.
Beyond the World Cup bid, Deschamps also won the Nations League in 2021 and earned silver at Euro 2016 on home soil, leaving the European crown as the one major prize still missing from his resume with the French team.
With France’s campaign this year ending, Deschamps’ tally stands at 175 matches for France, including 113 wins, 32 draws, and 30 losses, with the side scoring 375 and conceding 165 goals in that span.
Madrid Clock: Calendar, Injuries, and Defense
Xabi Alonso faces a major managerial challenge at Real Madrid as the squad braces for possible absences of Hoisen, Mbappe, and Camavinga from the lineup. Medical tests will determine whether Hoisen can rest briefly or if a longer layoff is needed, echoing what happened last October.
Madrid will resume the season against Elche on November 23, followed by a decisive Champions League clash with Olympiakos on the 26th, and a league showdown to defend top spot against Girona on the 30th. Alonso might lean on Militao and Asensio to cover Hoisen’s absence, while the midfield rotation will hinge on Camavinga’s readiness.
Real Madrid also gears up for a pivotal stretch with David Alaba at the heart of a potential test. An ongoing injury run has kept the Austrian defender under the microscope, and with his contract expiring in June, he faces the need to prove his consistency in order to secure an extension.
Alaba has long been a model of versatility, captaining Austria and standing among the elite defenders of his generation. The balance of his fitness and form remains a critical factor for Madrid this season, as the club charts a challenging path through multiple competitions.
Punchline time: if confidence were a cleat, Chouaméni would be wearing world-cup size. Punchline two: my sofa is the real midfielder here—great at intercepting snacks and launching couch-to-goal celebrations.
