Friendly Match / Ivory Coast - France: The Elephants take a first exam

On Thursday June 4, 2026, Ivory Coast faces France at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes (7:00 PM) for their first warm-up match for the 2026 World Cup. The Elephants, in Group E with Germany, Ecuador, and Curaçao, take on Les Bleus, who are in Group I with Senegal, Norway, and Iraq. Historically, France leads with 2 wins and 1 draw; Ivory Coast's first goal against France was scored by Nicolas Pépé in 2022 (2-1 loss). The new Ivorian generation, led by Yan Diomandé, Bazoumana Touré, and Yoan Bonny, faces France's formidable attack featuring Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, and Ousmane Dembélé, while the Doué family duel (Guéla for Ivory Coast, Désiré for France) and the tactical battle between Emerse Faé and Didier Deschamps add intrigue.