JuicyTalk
France wrap up their 2026 World Cup preparations on Monday night as they host Northern Ireland at the Decathlon Arena Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille.
For Didier Deschamps’ side, it represents a crucial final dress rehearsal and a necessary opportunity to fine-tune operations before jetting off to North America, where they are scheduled to kick off their tournament against Senegal on June 16.
Les Bleus will enter the clash with plenty of motivation following a surprise 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast on Thursday. Deschamps labelled that setback a “timely World Cup reminder,” and he is expected to heavily rotate his squad to give several fringe figures a final audition.
Despite missing out on qualification for the tournament themselves following a play-off semi-final defeat to Italy in March, Northern Ireland arrive in France with quiet confidence after grinding out a 1-0 victory over Guinea last week.
Michael O’Neill’s youthful side will view the daunting trip to face the world’s top-ranked nation as the ultimate development tool.
With the Irish FA recently extending O’Neill’s managerial contract through until 2032, this fixture is being treated as an invaluable benchmark for a rebuilding squad ahead of their upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign in September.
Team news for France v Northern Ireland
Deschamps will still be without a large chunk of his squad as Arsenal and PSG players phase their returns to action after last weekend’s Champions League final.
That means Ibrahima Konate, who recently departed Liverpool, should start in defence while Marcus Thuram could play in attack again.
Northern Ireland are not expected to make many changes though Sunderland defender Trai Hume should play.
Predicted line-ups for France v Northern Ireland
France: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Konate, L. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Akliouche, Cherki; Olise, Mbappe, Thuram
N Ireland: P. Charles; McConville, Hume, Brown; Smyth, McDonnell, S.Charles, Devenny; Donley, Price; Reid
Where to watch France v Northern Ireland: TV and online streams
The match will be broadcast in the UK on both BBC Three and BBC Two NI. You can also watch the game live on the iplayer and on the BBC Sport website.
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