The French national team will welcome Northern Ireland to Villeneuve-d’Ascq on June 8, 2026, for a friendly that serves as the last dress rehearsal before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A tune‑up before the tournament
France arrives after a 2‑1 defeat to Ivory Coast in their most recent friendly, a loss that ended a run of dominance that began with the Nations League semifinals against Spain.
Rayan Cherki scored the solitary goal for Les Bleus in that match, but the result highlighted vulnerabilities that the coaching staff will look to address before the global showcase.
Northern Ireland’s World Cup ambitions suffered a setback when they fell 2‑0 to Italy in March, a result that extinguished any lingering hopes of qualification.
The upcoming encounter will be broadcast on FOX Sports 2 in the United States, while the entire World Cup tournament can be followed live on the streaming service Fubo.
France’s opening World Cup fixture is scheduled for June 16 against Senegal, a match that will set the tone for their campaign in a group that also includes other strong opponents.