France’s world cup warm-ups: ten unforgettable matches
With the World Cup just days away, the French national team steps up final preparations against Côte d’Ivoire and Northern Ireland. The upcoming matches follow a tradition rich in contrasting fortunes, where past encounters often serve as cautionary tales rather than predictors of future success.
As Didier Deschamps’ squad prepares to fly to the United States on June 9 to face Senegal in their opening World Cup match on June 16, they will first test their form in two crucial friendlies: against Côte d’Ivoire in Nantes tomorrow and Northern Ireland in Lille on June 8. These warm-up games are steeped in the history of the Bleus, where victories and setbacks alike have shaped their World Cup preparations over decades.
When Djibril Cissé’s nightmare turned into a turning point
On June 7, 2006, at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Étienne, Djibril Cissé’s career took a dramatic turn. Selected by Raymond Domenech for France’s final warm-up against China, the Liverpool striker was barely minutes into the match when a tackle by Chinese captain Zheng Zhi shattered his right leg—double fracture of the tibia and fibula. This injury, eerily similar to one he suffered in November 2004 with Liverpool, sidelined him for the entire World Cup. Yet, just as Cissé’s hopes were dashed, another moment of fate would soon unfold.
Zidane’s rare miss: a moment that defied legend
In the same match, Zinédine Zidane, playing in his final World Cup warm-up, missed a penalty—the only one of his entire international career. Little did anyone know that weeks later, in the tournament itself, he would score two more penalties in the semi-final against Portugal and the final against Italy, including the iconic panenka that secured France’s victory.
World Cup outcome: runners-up
Broken wings and a thigh too soon
On May 26, 2002, in Suwon, South Korea, France faced the hosts in their opening warm-up match. Fresh from winning the Champions League with Real Madrid, Zidane was granted exceptional leave for the birth of his second child. But upon returning to the squad, fatigue and poor timing led to an injury: a strained left thigh that would sideline him for the opening games of the World Cup. Without their talisman, France struggled, and the team’s early exit in the tournament began to look inevitable.
World Cup outcome: group-stage elimination
The assassin in jersey number 21
On June 5, 1998, in Helsinki, Finland, France faced the hosts in a warm-up match that would spark controversy. After David Trezeguet scored the only goal, Christophe Dugarry missed a golden opportunity, earning him the label of “assassin” from pundit Jean-Michel Larqué during a live TV broadcast. The incident sparked outrage among the Bleus, who boycotted a scheduled appearance on Téléfoot the following day. Yet, fate intervened: Dugarry, despite being dropped from the starting lineup, entered the World Cup as a substitute and scored the winning goal in the final against Brazil, wearing the infamous number 21.
World Cup outcome: world champions
A three-part farce in Mexico
On May 21, 1986, in Tlaxcala, Mexico, France prepared for their World Cup campaign with an unconventional training match against Guatemala. Henri Michel, the coach, divided the game into three 33-minute segments totaling 98 minutes, played on a bumpy, potholed pitch at 12:15 PM. The bizarre conditions drew criticism, with midfielder Jean Tigana denouncing the organizers: “These high-level advertisers are forcing us to play at noon.” The French demanded a share of the broadcast rights, but the chaos became part of the tournament’s lore.
World Cup outcome: third place
Between boycotts and jeers in Tunisia
On May 19, 1978, in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France hosted Tunisia just days after Michel Hidalgo announced his 22-man squad—omitting Albert Gemmrich, who had scored against Iran the day before. The match took place amid political tensions: a banner under the scoreboard called for a boycott of the World Cup in Argentina, reading: “Argentina 1978: no football between concentration camps.” The crowd jeered the French, chanting: “Help! Platini, help!” But Michel Platini, introduced late in the first half, silenced the critics with two goals in a 2-0 victory.
World Cup outcome: group-stage elimination
A final warm-up disaster in Scotland
On July 7, 1966, in Selkirk, Scotland, France prepared for the World Cup in England with a series of warm-up matches against modest local sides. After thrashing Gala Fairydean Rovers 8-1 and Vale of Leithen 8-0, they faced Selkirk in a three-part scrimmage. But controversy arose when Lucien Muller withdrew, claiming he was excluded from the squad’s plans. Coach Henri Guérin praised the team’s spirit, but the disjointed preparation reflected the struggles that lay ahead.
World Cup outcome: group-stage elimination
Just Fontaine’s breakthrough in Sweden
On May 25, 1958, in Narke, Sweden, France faced a third-division district selection. Without Raymond Kopa, who had been released by Real Madrid days earlier, the Bleus overwhelmed their opponents 12-0. Just Fontaine, who had scored only four goals in his previous five matches for France, netted four times. A week later, against a stronger selection from the same region, he repeated the feat. His performance launched the career of the man who would go on to become the World Cup’s all-time top scorer with 13 goals in a single tournament.
World Cup outcome: third place
An experimental side in Belgium
On May 30, 1954, in Brussels, just weeks before the World Cup in Switzerland, coach Gaston Barreau fielded an experimental team against Belgium, dropping five regular starters including René Vignal and Roger Piantoni. While seven players from this match would make the tournament squad, the lack of cohesion was evident. Meanwhile, a separate France B team played Spain, and veteran Roger Marche was sidelined entirely. The disjointed approach highlighted the challenges of balancing experimentation with team unity.
World Cup outcome: group-stage elimination
The impatient English experiment
On May 10, 1934, in Amsterdam, England’s George Kimpton, newly appointed coach, attempted to impose the WM formation on France just two weeks before the World Cup in Italy. The match against the Netherlands became a defensive disaster, with Kimpton later criticizing his players’ lack of discipline. Speaking to Georges Verriest before France’s opening World Cup match against Austria, he snapped: “If he goes to the toilet, you go too!” The chaotic warm-up foreshadowed a first-round exit.
World Cup outcome: group-stage elimination
A royal send-off in Uruguay
On July 10, 1930, in Montevideo, Uruguay, France played Romania in their final warm-up before the very first World Cup. The journey itself was legendary: a 13-day cruise aboard the Conte Verde from Villefranche-sur-Mer, bonding the team together. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, France won 4-2. The match, described briefly by L’Auto as lasting “an hour, ending with France’s 4-2 victory,” was played in front of a Romanian squad personally selected by King Carol II, who had granted them three months of leave to prepare.
World Cup outcome: group-stage elimination