France against Ivory Coast: Thuram and Cherki begin the first preparations for the World Cup

Nantes – 06/04/2026: The French national football team played their first preparatory match for the 2026 World Cup in the United States on Thursday in Nantes against Ivory Coast. At the Stade de la Beaujoire there were some surprises in the starting eleven, as Marcus Thuram from Borussia Mönchengladbach and Rayan Cherki from Olympique Lyon started, while the Parisian stars initially took a place on the bench. The French team showed commitment and pressed the Ivorians early on. The match served coach Didier Deschamps to test different players and tactics ahead of the upcoming World Cup.

The match was characterized by a high tempo and technical finesse. Thuram, known for his physical robustness combined with technical skill, sought the goal promptly and stood out in offense. Cherki, considered a promising talent, showed creativity and dangerously dribbled several times inside the Ivory Coast’s penalty area. Despite the youth of some players, the team maintained defensive stability and tried to control the midfield.

The players of Paris Saint-Germain like Kylian Mbappé and other prominent names were initially rested or came on in the second half to bring fresh energy. This handling of the stars emphasizes Deschamps’ strategic approach to shaping a broad team and avoiding exhaustion before the World Cup. Ivory Coast proved to be a very compact opponent with fast counterattacks that troubled France at times.

The French team also used the match to try out new tactical variants, including flexibility in the 4-3-3 system, which can be adapted according to the game situation to be more offensive or more solid. Deschamps responded with substitutions and adjustments during the match, defining clear roles for certain players. The fans in Nantes created a vibrant atmosphere with much support, further boosting the French motivation ahead of the World Cup.

The final result was secondary; the important thing was to see how the team plays together and the quality available on the bench. According to experts, the combination of experienced players and young talents could make France very competitive in the 2026 World Cup. The next match against Ivory Coast will be played soon to continue gathering information ahead of the tournament.

Les Bleus’ preparation for the World Cup is in full swing, and with players like Thuram and Cherki in the starting eleven, France underlines its ambitions to show both depth and individual quality in the squad. Expectations are high, but the team has already shown promising signs before the big start of the tournament in the United States.