Trophée des Champions 2026 to be Hosted in France Following Health Concerns in Africa

The 2026 Trophée des Champions will take place in France, a decision confirmed by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) after initially considering hosting the event in Africa. The LFP evaluated bids from Côte d’Ivoire and Congo Brazzaville, with Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire notably a strong candidate due to its successful organization of the recent Coupe de la Ligue féminine final. However, health issues experienced by several Lyon players after that event, including stomach ailments, raised concerns. This led the LFP to prioritize player safety and ultimately decide to hold the Trophée des Champions on August 15 or 16, 2026, in France.

The match will feature the winners of Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France, potentially pitting Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) against RC Lens. This follows the previous edition held on January 6, 2026, in Kuwait City, where PSG defeated Olympique de Marseille in a dramatic penalty shootout, highlighted by Gonçalo Ramos’s crucial last-minute equalizer.

The decision reflects caution after the health complications encountered by players at Abidjan, despite the city's strong bid. According to the LFP, the move ensures optimal conditions for the competing clubs and athletes with a reliable organizational framework within France. The timing, less than three weeks after the World Cup's conclusion, sets the stage for a highly anticipated season curtain-raiser on home soil.