France wrap up their 2026 World Cup preparations on Monday evening as they host Northern Ireland on the Decathlon Area Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille.
For Didier Deschamps’ facet, it represents an important closing gown rehearsal and a essential alternative to fine-tune operations earlier than jetting off to North America, the place they’re scheduled to kick off their event towards Senegal on June 16.
Les Bleus will enter the conflict with loads of motivation following a shock 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast on Thursday. Deschamps labelled that setback a “well timed World Cup reminder,” and he’s anticipated to closely rotate his squad to provide a number of fringe figures a closing audition.
Regardless of lacking out on qualification for the event themselves following a play-off semi-final defeat to Italy in March, Northern Eire arrive in France with quiet confidence after grinding out a 1-0 victory over Guinea final week.
Michael O’Neill’s youthful facet will view the daunting journey to face the world’s top-ranked nation as the final word growth instrument.
With the Irish FA lately extending O’Neill’s managerial contract by means of till 2032, this fixture is being handled as a useful benchmark for a rebuilding squad forward of their upcoming UEFA Nations League marketing campaign in September.
Staff information for France v Northern Eire
Deschamps will nonetheless be with out a big chunk of his squad as Arsenal and PSG gamers part their returns to motion after final weekend’s Champions League closing.
Meaning Ibrahima Konate, who lately departed Liverpool, ought to begin in defence whereas Marcus Thuram might play in assault once more.
Northern Eire should not anticipated to make many modifications although Sunderland defender Trai Hume ought to play.
Predicted line-ups for France v Northern Eire
France: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Konate, L. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Akliouche, Cherki; Olise, Mbappe, Thuram
N Eire: P. Charles; McConville, Hume, Brown; Smyth, McDonnell, S.Charles, Devenny; Donley, Worth; Reid
The place to look at France v Northern Eire: TV and on-line streams
The match will likely be broadcast within the UK on each BBC Three and BBC Two NI. You too can watch the sport reside on the iplayer and on the BBC Sport web site.
