Is Ousmane Dembele Playing Tonight? All about Dembele’s Availability for France vs. Croatia UEFA Nations League QF tonight!

Since PSG manager Luis Enrique shifted him to a central attacking role, Dembélé has transformed into one of the most lethal forwards in Europe.

France will take on Croatia in UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first-leg match at the Stadion Poljud in Split on Friday. France enter the tie as Group A2 winners, having topped their Nations League group with 13 points from six matches. Meanwhile, Croatia finished second in Group A1, securing their quarter-final berth behind Portugal. The most memorable match between these two teams was the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, where Didier Deschamps’ France emerged victorious with a 4-2 win in Moscow.

The last time these two teams clashed was in a Nations League match, where the Croatians edged a 1-0 win. With a rich footballing history between these two sides, this quarter-final clash is set to deliver high-intensity football. With Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele leading the charge for France, Les Bleus will look to take an early advantage before returning to Paris for the decider.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has been in scintillating form this season, emerging as one of Europe’s most prolific attackers. His remarkable performances have not only bolstered PSG’s domestic and European campaigns but have also reignited discussions about his potential candidacy for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award.

Since PSG manager Luis Enrique shifted him to a central attacking role at PSG, Ousmane Dembélé has transformed into one of the most lethal forwards in Europe. The French striker has been in sensational form, scoring 22 goals in just 17 matches in 2025, making him a key figure in Paris Saint-Germain’s attack. Ousmane Dembélé is Ligue 1’s top scorer and one of Europe’s top scorers this season.

Will Ousmane Dembele Play Tonight?

Dembélé will start for the French national team in their UEFA Nations League quarter-final clash against Croatia. Given his exceptional club form and the praise he has received from national team coach Didier Deschamps, his inclusion in the starting lineup is pretty much confirmed.

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On the eve of the first leg of the Nations League quarterfinals, French coach Didier Deschamps said, “Ousmane Dembélé hasn’t changed, but what’s clear is that his efficiency is extremely high right now (…). He’s also fully confident, knows when he can hurt the opposition. His credit lies in maintaining that level of success.”

Ousmane Dembélé is poised to play a crucial role in France’s match against Croatia, bringing his club-level performances on to the international stage.

Prêts pour demain 👊

🇭🇷 🇫🇷 #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/LC6WKqSJM2
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) March 19, 2025

France Predicted Lineup:

Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Saliba, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Mbappe; Kolo Muani

Ousmane Dembele

Abhinav Goel

soccer

I am a soccer writer at The PlayOffs, covering everything from match analysis to transfer buzz and tactical deep dives. Ever since I was a kid, soccer has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been an obsession. Playing and watching the game from a young age fueled my passion, eventually leading me into the world of sports media and betting. Now, I get to analyze the sport I love and bring the latest updates to fans worldwide.