The French football team was surprised by Ivory Coast (2-1) on Thursday in Nantes, during the first of its two preparation matches before the World Cup. A failed and worrying first test for the Blues before the start of the competition in North America.
Published on: 06/04/2026 - 11:23 p.m. Modified on: 06/05/2026 - 07:46
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Despite the very successful performance of Rayan Cherki, the French team missed its first preparation match for the 2026 World Cup, losing 2-1 against Ivory Coast on Thursday June 4 in Nantes.
Less than a week before the big departure for the United States and the Boston base camp, this result constitutes a clear setback and is enough to worry a team considered to be one of the big favorites for the World Cup.
While they remained on an American tour full of promise in March with prestigious successes against Brazil (2-1) and Colombia (3-1), the Blues made an unworthy copy of their status and will have to quickly raise their heads to avoid approaching the World Cup with morale at half mast.
Read alsoSelection of Ivory Coast for the 2026 World Cup: Bonny called up, Haller reservist
Because despite a large domination in the first period and a succession of chances, which allowed Rayan Cherki to open the scoring (44th), the numerous changes made after the break by Didier Deschamps completely unbalanced the Tricolores, punished by Guéla Doué (53rd), perfectly launched by Nicolas Pepe (53rd), then by Amad Diallo (84th). A setback which is of concern as the French team's first World Cup match, on June 16 against Senegal in East Rutherford (New Jersey), is fast approaching.
One last friendly to play against Northern Ireland
Before this first meeting at the World Cup, Deschamps' troops will have a final friendly to play, Monday in Lille against Northern Ireland, which will precede their flight to America by two days, on June 10. They will have to show another face and make a completely different copy to regain some serenity.
During a game notably marked by a vibrant tribute from Beaujoire to the coach, trained in Nantes and who will leave his post at the end of the World Cup, the idea of the staff was to carry out a broad review of the squad, which undoubtedly harmed the coherence of the whole.
Without William Saliba, sidelined due to back pain, the defense was particularly swayed. To compensate for the absence of the Gunner, Deschamps decided to test Ibrahima Konaté alongside the indisputable Dayot Upamecano. The now ex-Liverpool player had a difficult evening and did not really make Saliba forget, with Upamecano often plugging the gaps at the back. And without the vigilance of Mike Maignan, decisive in front of Simon Adingra after a dangerous loss of ball in the axis of Aurélien Tchouaméni (42nd), the score could have been even more severe.
The exit of Upamecano at the break further complicated the Blues' affairs in defense. After this checkered performance, Deschamps must undoubtedly hope for a rapid recovery from Saliba before the first shock against the Senegalese.
The only satisfaction came from the feet of Cherki, author of the opening score with a cross shot following a beautiful solo number in the area.
A match to forget for Mbappé
The coach had decided to do without the services of the six players who participated in the final of the Champions League, Saturday in Budapest, and who arrived late at the training camp at Clairefontaine. No Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué or Bradley Barcola therefore in the starting eleven, the opportunity for Cherki to distinguish himself and score valuable points.
The former Lyonnais, who is coming off a successful first season at Manchester City, did not miss this golden opportunity and brought his tally in blue to two goals in six selections. The 22-year-old is thus positioning himself as a candidate for a starting place at the World Cup even if they will be very expensive in attack.
That of Mbappé is of course assured but the superstar of the Blues intended to take advantage of this meeting to score at least one goal in order to equal Olivier Giroud's French team record (57). The captain, however, came across an impeccable Yahia Fofana in the Ivorian cage (6th). Launched in depth just before the break, the Real Madrid striker was also the victim of an impressive comeback from Wilfried Singo (41st) before giving up his place at the break.
A match to forget for Mbappé and a free warning for France.
With AFP
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