France Triumphs 3-1 Over Colombia in Key World Cup Warm-Up

On March 29, 2026, France secured a 3-1 victory against Colombia in a friendly match held in Washington as part of their preparation for the 2026 World Cup. This match served as a crucial test for coach Didier Deschamps to finalize his squad ahead of the tournament. Despite the absence of important players like Barcola, Koundé, and Saliba, the French team showcased their depth with strong performances from substitutes.

Désiré Doué was the standout player, scoring two goals including the opener in the 30th minute and another immediately after halftime. Marcus Thuram also made a significant impact by scoring a header in the 41st minute and providing an assist for Doué’s second goal. Although Colombia's Campaz managed a late consolation goal, France controlled the game throughout.

Kylian Mbappé came on as a late substitute but missed an opportunity to score, with a disallowed goal denying him a chance to tie Olivier Giroud’s record as France's all-time top scorer. Despite this, Deschamps expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall efforts, calling the victories over Colombia and Brazil "very positive sporting outcomes."

This match has given Deschamps a near-complete view of his squad choices, as he affirmed that the player list for the World Cup is almost finalized. The French team is set to play two more friendlies before their training camp in Boston, aiming to maintain their strong form ahead of a busy summer. The encouraging displays from emerging talents like Doué and Thuram have strengthened Deschamps’ confidence in his squad depth and options for the tournament.