A decisive warm‑up
As the world’s eyes turn toward the upcoming tournament, France’s national side is set to play its last preparatory fixture against Northern Ireland, a match that could prove pivotal in fine‑tuning the squad’s chemistry and confidence.
Coach Didier Deschamps has announced that he will field a starting eleven that mirrors his World Cup intentions, recalling veterans such as Jules Koundé, Theo Hernández and Aurélien Tchouaméni while giving minutes to emerging talents.
The defensive reshuffle comes after a surprising 2‑1 loss to the Ivory Coast that exposed vulnerabilities at the back, with centre‑back William Saliba expected to start despite a minor back complaint.
Kylian Mbappé, now just one strike away from matching Olivier Giroud as France’s all‑time leading scorer, will lead the attack, while Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise are likely to provide the supporting firepower.
Deschamps has emphasized that the full‑backs must combine forward thrusts with disciplined defensive cover, and that midfield cohesion will be essential to shield the back four.
The encounter serves as a final test of tactical experiments before the squad departs for the global showcase, with every pass and movement scrutinised for match sharpness.