The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just around the corner, with just over a month left until the tournament takes over the Meadowlands. The next star player set to come to the region to participate in the star region that is being put in the spotlight is Désiré Doué, an attacking midfielder and winger for France. At just 20 years old, Doué is one of the game’s brightest young stars and will look to make an impact for the 2018 champs in his FIFA World Cup debut.
Doué began his journey in the sport at the age of five, joining the youth academy for Rennes in 2011. His professional career at the senior level started in 2021, when he began to play for their reserve team. On Aug. 7, 2022, Doué made his professional debut with the club, entering the game as a substitute in a 1-0 loss to Lorient. On Aug. 31, Doué scored his first professional goal, becoming the first player born in 2005 to score a goal in one of the five major European leagues. A few months later, on Oct. 6, Doué scored an 89th-minute, game-winning goal in a 2-1 UEFA Europa League victory, becoming the youngest French player to score in European club competition.
On Aug. 17, 2024, Doué joined Paris Saint-Germain in a transfer worth €50 million. The contract made it so that Doué would remain with the French club until June 2029. A week later, on Aug. 23, Doué made his debut with the club, entering as a substitute in a 6-0 win over Montpellier. In his next match, on Sept. 1, Doué recorded his first assist with the club, as Paris Saint-Germain went on to win by a score of 3-1. Doué’s role with the club continued to grow as his impressive outings began to pile up, establishing himself as one of the top young players in the sport.
On March 11, 2025, Doué entered the UEFA Champions League round of 16 match as a substitute, where he would go on to score the game-clinching penalty for his club. His impressive performances led to him being named the UNFP Player of the Month, which highlights the best player in Ligue 1.
In the first leg of Doué’s Champions League quarter-finals match, he would score the equalizing goal against Aston Villa, with Paris Saint-Germain going on to advance to the next round. The club would eventually go on to win the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League final, marking their first time ever winning the title. In the final match, Doué scored twice and recorded an assist, as his club eased to victory in a 5-0 win over Inter Milan. Doué became the first teenager to score two goals in a match in the UEFA Champions League final. His impressive performance led to him being named the man of the match for the final.
Upon the league season ending, Doué was UNFP Young Player of the Year and named to the Ligue 1 Team of the Year. On June 6, Doué continued his impressive year, recording a goal at the quarter-finals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Doué and Paris Saint-Germain would play in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, though they were unable to claim victory in the Meadowlands. Doué still left his mark, however, being named the Best Young Player of the tournament.
Doué was a member of France’s U17 team that went on to win the 2022 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, as well as the U19 team that won the 2024 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. On March 22, 2024, Doué made his debut for the France Olympic team, scoring two goals in a 3-2 win over Cote D’Ivoire. Doué played in five games during the Olympics, with France earning a silver medal.
On March 13, 2025, Doué was called up to the France national team for the first time. He made his debut on March 23 in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League quarter-final against Croatia. Just over a month ago, on March 26, Doué recorded his first international goal in a friendly match against Colombia.
Doué and France will be coming to MetLife Stadium on June 16 to take on Senegal in a 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage match. France is coming off a narrow defeat in the 2022 World Cup finals, hoping to reclaim their title once again. The addition of a young star, such as Doué, could be very beneficial for the team’s run in the tournament.
