France’s world cup warm-up matches: ten unforgettable clashes through history
With the World Cup just days away, France’s national team faces Côte d’Ivoire and Northern Ireland in final warm-up fixtures. Past preparatory clashes have delivered mixed fortunes, offering glimpses of promise and peril alike.
David Trezeguet during France’s 2006 World Cup warm-up against China
Ahead of their June 9 departure to the United States — where they’ll kick off the tournament against Senegal on June 16 at 9 p.m. — Didier Deschamps’ France squad will face Côte d’Ivoire in Nantes this Thursday and Northern Ireland in Lille on June 8. Two more friendly matches in the long tradition of French football. Here’s a look back at ten warm-up clashes that left their mark on history.
The heartbreak of Cissé, Zidane’s missed penalty
France vs China, June 7, 2006
The memory remains haunting. At Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, Djibril Cissé, starting for Raymond Domenech, was felled on his first touch by Chinese skipper Zheng Zhi. His right leg twisted unnaturally — a double fracture of tibia and fibula, echoing a similar break he’d suffered in November 2004 with Liverpool against Blackburn.
Zinedine Zidane misses the only penalty of his international career against China in 2006
That day, Zinedine Zidane missed what would become the only penalty of his entire international career — though he’d go on to convert two in the knockout stages against Portugal and Italy, including the iconic final-day panenka against Italy (1-1, 4-3 on penalties).
World Cup outcome: runners-up.
Shattered wings and thighs
South Korea 2–3 France, May 26, 2002
Just eleven days earlier, Zinedine Zidane had claimed the Champions League with Real Madrid, scoring a stunning volley against Leverkusen (2-1). A brief leave to welcome his second child, and he was back with France — already in Ibusuki, Japan.
Zinedine Zidane injured his thigh against South Korea in 2002
Against South Korea in Suwon, visibly fatigued, Zidane pulled up with a left thigh strain. A strained muscle that dominated headlines — though perhaps Senegal deserved more attention. It marked the beginning of the end for Roger Lemerre’s side.
World Cup outcome: group-stage exit.
The assassin in number 21
Finland 0–1 France, June 5, 1998
A cold reception greeted France in Helsinki, despite David Trezeguet’s goal. After a missed chance, Christophe Dugarry was branded an “assassin” live on TV by pundit Jean-Michel Larqué. Stung, the French squad boycotted Téléfoot the next morning. A week later, Stéphane Guivarc’h — who’d scored 47 goals across all competitions that season but only one for France — started the World Cup against South Africa. Yet it was Dugarry, wearing the number 21 shirt, who would go on to score.
World Cup outcome: world champions.
A three-part farce
France 8–1 Guatemala, May 21, 1986
In Tlaxcala, Mexico, at 2,230 meters above sea level, Henri Michel’s frustration boiled over when a supposedly unofficial training match against Guatemala was televised — commentated by Eugène Saccomano and Marius Trésor on La Cinq. The French coach split the game into three 33-minute periods (98 minutes total). On a bumpy, potholed pitch, France played in red, and kickoff was moved to 12:15 p.m. Jean Tigana fumed: “Advertisers of the highest order forced us to play at noon.” The French demanded a share of broadcast revenue.
Thierry Tusseau with France against Guatemala in 1986
World Cup outcome: third place.
Boycott and heckling
France 2–0 Tunisia, May 19, 1978
A week after Michel Hidalgo announced his 22-man squad — omitting Albert Gemmrich, who’d scored the winner against Iran the day before (2-1) — France hosted Tunisia in Villeneuve-d’Ascq. Beneath the scoreboard, a banner called for a boycott of Argentina 1978: “1978 Argentina: no football between concentration camps.”
Michel Platini opens the scoring against Tunisia in 1978
In the first half (0-0), France looked unrecognizable. Tunisian fans jeered: “Help, Platini, help!” The Nancy playmaker, eased in after winning the French Cup, came on at halftime and broke the deadlock. Final score: 2-0.
World Cup outcome: group-stage exit.
A final bone in Scotland
Selkirk 2–11 France, July 7, 1966
Preparing for England’s World Cup, France faced tiny Scottish sides to boost striker confidence. After 8-1 wins against Gala Fairydean Rovers and Vale of Leithen, Selkirk awaited in three 33-minute periods. But Lucien Muller withdrew, citing concerns over his role: “I didn’t play because I knew selection was out of the question in the minds of the staff.” Henri Guérin praised the “fantastic spirit” of the side.
World Cup outcome: group-stage exit.
The emergence of Just Fontaine
Narke 0–12 France, May 25, 1958
Without Raymond Kopa, released by Real Madrid four days later, France crushed a third- and fourth-division Swedish district side. Just Fontaine, who’d scored in only two of his first five appearances (4 goals), netted a quadruplet. A week later, he repeated the feat against a “stronger” Narke selection (12-0). René Bliard, his rival for a starting berth, suffered a serious injury. The legend of the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer (13 goals) was born.
World Cup outcome: third place.
A squad of substitutes
Belgium 3–3 France, May 30, 1954
A month from the Swiss tournament, manager Gaston Barreau overhauled his squad against Belgium, dropping five regulars including René Vignal, Joseph Ujlaki and Roger Piantoni. At the Heysel, he fielded an experimental XI (seven would play in the World Cup) while a France B team (six would play in the World Cup) faced Spain (0-2). Roger Marche, the veteran defender, was left out entirely. A disjointed experiment in cohesion.
Jean Vincent in action against Belgium in 1954
World Cup outcome: group-stage exit.
The impatient Englishman
Netherlands 4–5 France, May 10, 1934
New England-born manager George Kimpton, a devotee of the W.M. formation (3-2-5), tried to impose it just two weeks before the Italian World Cup. In Amsterdam, France’s defense leaked. Frustrated by indiscipline, Kimpton snapped at half-time in Turin before France’s 2-3 extra-time loss to Austria: “If he goes to the toilet, you go too!”
World Cup outcome: first-round exit.
The royal cruise
France 4–2 Romania, July 10, 1930
Thirteen days aboard the Conte Verde from Villefranche-sur-Mer to Montevideo forged bonds. A week later, France and Romania met in a friendly before the first-ever World Cup. L’Auto reported: “The match lasted an hour, ending with France winning 4-2.” The Romanians had been selected by King Carol II, who’d granted them three months’ leave from their jobs.
World Cup outcome: group-stage exit.
