France Prepares for World Cup 2026 with Friendly vs Côte d’Ivoire Amid Saliba Injury Concerns

The French national football team is gearing up for the 2026 World Cup with a key friendly match against Côte d’Ivoire scheduled for June 4, 2026, at the Beaujoire Stadium in Nantes. This encounter, broadcast live on TF1 at 21:10, marks the first of two warm-up games designed to help coach Didier Deschamps refine tactics ahead of what will be his final World Cup as head coach. Historically, France boasts a strong record against Côte d’Ivoire, having won two of their three previous meetings, including a 2-1 victory in 2022 with goals by Olivier Giroud and Aurélien Tchouaméni.

However, the team’s preparation has been clouded by concerns over defender William Saliba’s fitness. Saliba, a key defensive asset for France, reportedly aggravated a back injury during the recent PSG-Arsenal Champions League final. Despite playing through pain, examinations on Monday revealed the injury’s nature, causing uncertainty about his participation in the World Cup. While some sources suggest he could be sidelined for several weeks, head coach Deschamps has attempted to reassure the public and media stating, "He is fine, perfectly...There is no problem. Do not worry. What has come out? These are not news, they are not factual."

Should Saliba be unable to play, France has alternatives such as Maxence Lacroix and Lucas Hernandez ready to slot into the defense. Yet, Saliba’s consistent performances this season make his health pivotal to France’s ambitions.

As the team looks forward to the matchup against Côte d’Ivoire, Deschamps remains focused on tactical finalization while managing the delicate situation surrounding Saliba’s injury, aiming to enter the World Cup as strong as possible.