Paris – 09.06.2026: The French national team defeated Northern Ireland 2-0 in a friendly match on Monday evening. This victory marks the end of the last test phase before the departure to the USA, where the team will intensively prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Coach Didier Deschamps took the opportunity to try out various tactical formations and evaluate the form of his players.
Particularly notable was the return of Michael Olise to the right attacking side. The offensive midfielder from FC Bayern Munich, who had previously been deployed in different positions, showed a strong performance on the right side. With his speed and precise crosses, he contributed significantly to the success and could be an important factor in this position throughout the tournament.
In central midfield, Tchouaméni from Real Madrid and Adrien Rabiot from AC Milan continued their cooperation. The duo combined defensive stability with creative offensive actions and presented themselves as a promising foundation for the team. Tchouaméni impresses with ball recoveries and precise passes, while Rabiot makes an impact with his vision and long-range shots. This combination is intended to strengthen the balance between defense and attack.
However, there remains uncertainty on the left attacking side. Ousmane Dembélé, who played in the first half against Northern Ireland, has not yet fully convinced. His form and fitness raise questions, so Deschamps may consider additional options to optimally fill this position.
In defense, France showed a solid performance. The central defense pairing of Dayot Upamecano (FC Bayern Munich) and William Saliba (Arsenal London) appeared compact and left the opponent with few chances. Fullbacks Lucas Hernandez (Paris Saint-Germain) and Théo Hernandez (Al-Hilal Riyadh) supported both defensively and offensively with success.
Goalkeeper Mike Maignan (AC Milan) demonstrated his quality with several important saves and underscored his role as the team’s number one. His calmness and presence radiated to the entire backline and provided additional security.
The trip to the USA is intended to give the French players the opportunity to coordinate further in friendly matches against international opponents and to refine tactical processes. The clear goal is to win the third World Championship title after 1998 and 2018. The team consists of a mixture of experienced players and promising talents who must prove their performance and stability in the coming months.
The 2026 World Cup begins in June in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. France’s preparation is crucial to compete at the highest level and to win the title again. The final test matches will provide insight into which players are most effective in which system before the tournament officially begins.
Sources
- FIFA
- L’Équipe
- Le Monde