Softfootball’s opinion on why Didier Deschamps refused to give N’Golo Kanté a single minute at the 2026 World Cup is based on observations from France’s first group‑stage match all the way to their 2:0 semi‑final loss to Spain.
Kanté becoming an unused substitute throughout the tournament is shocking, especially because there were clear moments when France looked overrun in midfield, struggling for balance, stability, and control.
A player of Kanté’s experience, intelligence, and ball‑winning ability could have helped restore structure, particularly against Spain.
The question many fans have asked is simple: why was he called up if he was never going to be used? Looking at his quality, experience, and the specific problems France faced, especially in the semi‑final Kanté could have provided exactly what Les Bleus were missing.
