Player profile
Jules Koundé
Defender · Barcelona
Jules Koundé was the first Barcelona player confirmed for the 2026 World Cup and helped France reach the semi-finals, even after admitting his club form had been below his own standard.
Career
Koundé made 46 appearances for Barcelona under Hansi Flick in 2025/26, form he described as below par himself, but which still earned him the honour of being the first FC Barcelona player officially confirmed for France's World Cup squad.
At the tournament, Koundé featured as France opened against Senegal at MetLife Stadium and became the first team to reach the semi-finals with a 2-0 quarter-final win over Morocco, in which he played 87 minutes and won all four of his duels — before France lost the semi-final to Spain and then the third-place match 6-4 to England.
How they play
A right-back who can also play centre-back, Koundé's game combines recovery pace with composure in possession, the versatility that has kept him a France regular even through an uneven club season.
Where they are now
Koundé has been explicit about wanting a bounce-back season at Barcelona: "What I hope for is to have a great season, to rest well first so I can come back stronger. To have a better season and help Barça as much as possible."
Bio
Club career
- FC BarcelonaSince 2022Current
- Sevilla FC2019–2022
- FC Girondins de Bordeaux2017–2019
- FC Girondins de Bordeaux II2016–2017
International career
- France men's national association football teamSince 2021Current
Youth caps: U21 (2020–2021)
Honours
No honours on record yet.
Defining moments
First Barcelona player confirmed for the World Cup2026
Koundé's selection made him the first FC Barcelona player officially named to a 2026 World Cup squad, and he went on to help France reach the tournament's semi-finals before a third-place finish.
Latest season stats (ESPN)
In our archive
- France 4–6 EnglandLSubstitute · #5 · on 90'+1'
Sources
- ESPN athlete profileJul 18, 2026
- WikidataJul 18, 2026
- Player photo — Bryan BerlinCC BY-SA 4.0
Read for this profile
- Barca Blaugranes — Jules Kounde hoping for a 'better season' at Barcelona after World Cup 2026August 4, 2026
- Barca Blaugranes — Barcelona defender Jules Koundé called up by France to World Cup 2026 as Real Madrid star misses outAugust 4, 2026
Profile written / last reviewed August 4, 2026.
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