France is actively preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they take on Ivory Coast in an international friendly at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes on Thursday evening. Under the guidance of Didier Deschamps, the team enters the tournament as one of the frontrunners, following an exceptional unbeaten qualifying run and strong performance against formidable rivals.
The French team, known as Les Bleus, has achieved victory in eight out of their last nine international contests, consistently scoring two or more goals in each match. This includes friendly wins against Brazil and Colombia during the March international break. France aims to make history by becoming only the third nation to reach three consecutive World Cup finals, following their appearances in 2018 and 2022.
Deschamps, who is anticipated to resign following the tournament, has put together another formidable squad led by Kylian Mbappe, who is just one goal shy of tying Olivier Giroud’s record for the most goals scored for the national team. However, Arsenal defender William Saliba is likely to miss the match due to a exacerbated back issue sustained during the UEFA Champions League final.
On the other hand, Ivory Coast returns to the World Cup stage after not qualifying for the last two editions. They come to France buoyed by a powerful qualifying campaign, during which they scored 25 goals while maintaining a clean sheet.
The Elephants showcased their strength in recent friendly matches, achieving a 4-0 victory over South Korea and a narrow 1-0 win against Scotland in March. They have officially named their final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their football team shared updates about their concluding training session before traveling to Nantes, France, via their X account, as part of the World Cup preparations.
Head coach Emerse Fae has established Ivory Coast as one of Africa’s reliable teams, recording 21 wins out of 31 matches in his management. The upcoming match provides the Elephants an opportunity to gauge their capabilities against one of the best teams in the world prior to their World Cup campaign commencing later this month.
Team News
William Saliba is ruled out for France due to his back injury, while several players from PSG may receive a rest after their Champions League success. Kylian Mbappe is set to play as he chases the scoring record for the national team.
Ibrahima Konate is likely to be the replacement for Saliba in the center-back position, while N’Golo Kante, the oldest player in Deschamps’s squad, is expected to start in midfield.
Ivory Coast will be without defender Clement Akpa, who is injured, with Christopher Operi stepping in for him. Nicolas Pepe and Yan Diomande are anticipated to play significant roles in the attack.
Possible Lineups
France possible starting lineup:
Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Upamecano, Digne; Kante, Tchouameni; Olise, Cherki, Mbappe; Thuram
Ivory Coast possible starting lineup:
Y. Fofana; Doue, Kossounou, Diomande, Konan; Sangare, Kessie, S. Fofana; Pepe, Wahi, Diomande
How to Watch
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| TV Broadcast | beIN SPORTS |
| Live Stream | DSTV Stream |
| Kick-off Time | 20:10 (WAT) |
Match Prediction
Softfootball predicts France 3-1 Ivory Coast
France is anticipated to control possession and generate superior scoring opportunities owing to their top-tier attacking talent. Nonetheless, Ivory Coast has demonstrated discipline and speed on counter-attacks which could trouble Les Bleus throughout the match. Ultimately, Deschamps’s team is expected to possess an advantage in terms of offense and experience, particularly as they play on home turf in front of their supporters.
