Despite the very successful performance of Rayan Cherki, the French team completely missed its first preparation match for the 2026 World Cup by being beaten by Ivory Coast 2-1 on Thursday in Nantes. Less than a week before the big departure for the United States and the Boston base camp, this result constitutes a clear setback and is cause for concern for a team considered one of the big favorites for the World Cup.
“If we needed a booster shot, we got it,” acknowledged Blues coach Didier Deschamps after the match. While they remained on an American tour full of promise in March with prestigious successes against Brazil (2-1) and Colombia (3-1), the Blues made an unworthy copy of their status and will have to quickly raise their heads to avoid approaching the World Cup with morale at half mast.
Because despite a large domination in the first period and a succession of opportunities, materialized by the opening score of Rayan Cherki (44th), the numerous changes made after the break by Didier Deschamps completely unbalanced the Tricolores, punished by Guéla Doué (53rd), perfectly launched by Nicolas Pepe (53rd), then by Amad Diallo (84th). A setback which calls attention to the fact that the entry into contention of the French at the World Cup, on June 16 against Senegal in East Rutherford (New Jersey), is fast approaching.
Nantes tribute to “DD”
Before this first meeting at the World Cup, Deschamps’ troops will have a final friendly to play, Monday in Lille against Northern Ireland, which will precede their flight to America by two days, on June 10. They will have to show another face and make a completely different copy to regain some serenity.
During a game notably marked by a vibrant tribute from La Beaujoire to the coach, trained in Nantes and who will leave his post at the end of the World Cup, the idea of the staff was to carry out a large review of the squad, which undoubtedly harmed the coherence of the whole. “It was a preparation match and having made 10 changes didn’t help either. But it was important for me to get everyone involved this evening,” said Deschamps.
The coach had decided to do without the services of the six players who participated in the final of the Champions League, Saturday in Budapest, and who arrived late at the training camp at Clairefontaine. No Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué or Bradley Barcola therefore in the starting eleven, the opportunity for Cherki to distinguish himself and score valuable points.
The former Lyonnais, who is coming off a successful first season at Manchester City, did not miss this golden opportunity and brought his tally in blue to two goals in six selections. The 22-year-old is thus positioning himself as a candidate for a starting place at the World Cup even if they will be very expensive in attack.
