France stunned by Ivory Coast in first 2026 World Cup prep match

The French national football team, "Les Bleus," suffered a surprising 1-2 defeat against Ivory Coast in their opening preparation match for the 2026 World Cup. The friendly, held in Nantes, saw a French side with "two faces," as they dominated the first half but faltered dramatically after the break.

France took a deserved lead just before halftime when Cherki, after a skillful move, scored with a well-placed shot. Despite some defensive lapses during Ivorian counter-attacks, France appeared in control. However, coach Didier Deschamps' decision to make five substitutions at halftime, including bringing off key players like Mbappé, Tchouaméni, Upamecano, Hernandez, and Olise, seemed to disrupt the team's cohesion.

The second half saw a significant collapse from the French squad. The extensive squad rotation, while intended to test players, proved detrimental to their performance against an Ivorian team that capitalized on the disarray. This loss marks an inauspicious start to their World Cup campaign preparations.

Despite the disappointing result, the team will have an opportunity to regroup and regain confidence in their second and final friendly match against Northern Ireland on Monday in Lille. The focus will be on rectifying the issues exposed in this match and presenting a more cohesive unit.