With the World Cup just days away, France’s national team is putting the final touches on their preparation. Two critical friendlies await before the tournament kicks off in the United States: a clash with Côte d’Ivoire in Nantes on Thursday and Northern Ireland in Lille on June 8. But the path to this moment has been paved with memorable—and sometimes painful—preparatory matches throughout history. Let’s revisit ten of the most unforgettable.
Before departing for the U.S. on June 9 to face Senegal in their tournament opener on June 16, Didier Deschamps’ squad will use these two fixtures as a final rehearsal. A tradition as old as the team itself, these warm-ups often reveal more than they conceal. Here are ten encounters that left a lasting mark.
a heartbreaking debut and zidane’s penalty miss
France vs China — June 7, 2006
At Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Étienne, Djibril Cissé made a disastrous start. The Liverpool striker was immediately tackled by China’s captain, Zheng Zhi, and suffered a double fracture of his right tibia and fibula—echoing an earlier injury in November 2004, this time to his left leg. The sight was horrifying.
That same day, Zinedine Zidane missed the only penalty of his international career. Though he later scored two in the 2006 World Cup knockout stages—one against Portugal and the seventh in the final against Italy, a famous panenka—this miss stood as a rare blemish in his illustrious legacy.
World Cup outcome: runners-up.
zidane’s thigh injury and the road to elimination
France vs South Korea — May 26, 2002
Just eleven days after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid, Zidane took a rare break to be with his newborn child. But upon rejoining the national team in Japan, he was already exhausted. Playing against South Korea in Suwon, he pulled up with a thigh strain that sidelined him for the rest of the tournament. The defeat to Senegal soon after sealed France’s fate.
That result marked the beginning of the end for Roger Lemerre’s side, despite Zidane’s heroics months earlier in Cardiff.
World Cup outcome: group stage exit.
the assassin in jersey 21
Finland vs France — June 5, 1998
A week before the 1998 World Cup began, France faced Finland in Helsinki. A missed opportunity by Christophe Dugarry prompted commentator Jean-Michel Larqué to label him an “assassin” on live television. The insult stung, and the French players refused to appear on Téléfoot the next day. But fate had other plans: Dugarry, wearing the number 21 jersey, would go on to score the decisive goal in the tournament that followed.
Though Stéphane Guivarc’h started the World Cup in his place, it was Dugarry—often overlooked—that etched his name into history.
World Cup outcome: world champions.
a three-part farce in guatemala
France vs Guatemala — May 21, 1986
At 2,230 meters above sea level in Tlaxcala, Mexico, Henri Michel’s side faced an absurd challenge. Unhappy that a training match was being televised by La Cinq and commentated by Eugène Saccomano and Marius Trésor, the coach split the game into three 33-minute periods. The pitch was uneven and pockmarked, and the kickoff was delayed until 12:15 p.m. Jean Tigana protested, calling the conditions “a publicity stunt”, and the French demanded a share of broadcasting rights.
World Cup outcome: third place.
protest, politics, and platini’s redemption
France vs Tunisia — May 19, 1978
In the lead-up to Argentina 1978, a banner unfurled in Villeneuve-d’Ascq read: “Argentina 1978: no football between concentration camps.” The political tension was palpable. Though France struggled in the first half, Michel Platini—carefully managed after a Cup final win—entered the fray and scored twice. But the Tunisian crowd jeered, chanting “Help! Platini, come save us!”
World Cup outcome: group stage exit.
the forgotten disaster in scotland
Selkirk vs France — July 7, 1966
In preparation for England 1966, France traveled to Scotland to face modest local sides. After crushing Gala Fairydean Rovers 8-1 and Vale of Leithen 8-0, they faced Selkirk—only for Lucien Muller to withdraw, claiming the selectors had no intention of playing him. Henri Guérin praised the “fantastic mindset” of his players, but the disjointed squad chemistry revealed the absurdity of the experiment.
World Cup outcome: group stage exit.
just fontaine’s breakthrough
Narke vs France — May 25, 1958
Deprived of Raymond Kopa—who was released by Real Madrid days later—France demolished a third- and fourth-division Swedish selection. Just Fontaine, who had only scored in two of his first five matches for France, netted four goals. A week later, he repeated the feat against a “stronger” Narke squad. His rival, René Bliard, was sidelined with a serious injury. Fontaine’s legend was born—and it would soon lead to a record-breaking 13 goals in the 1958 World Cup.
World Cup outcome: third place.
a chaotic trial run in belgium
Belgium vs France — May 30, 1954
With the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland approaching, manager Gaston Barreau overhauled the squad. Five key players—including René Vignal and Joseph Ujlaki—were dropped. In Brussels, he fielded an experimental lineup (seven would play in the tournament), while a France B team played Spain separately (six would play in the World Cup). Roger Marche, the defensive stalwart, was nowhere to be seen. The lack of cohesion was evident.
World Cup outcome: group stage exit.
the english experiment that failed
Holland vs France — May 10, 1934
New coach George Kimpton, an Englishman enamored with the W.M. formation—rarely used in France—attempted to impose his tactical vision just two weeks before the World Cup in Italy. But in Amsterdam, France’s defense crumbled. Frustrated by the players’ indiscipline, Kimpton reportedly told Georges Verriest before the Austria match in Turin: “If he goes to the toilet, you go too!”
World Cup outcome: group stage exit.
from boat to glory: the first world cup warm-up
France vs Romania — July 10, 1930
Thirteen days aboard the Conte Verde en route to Montevideo forged bonds among the French squad. A week after arriving in Uruguay, they faced Romania in their final warm-up. According to L’Auto, “the game lasted an hour, after which France won 4–2.” Romania’s players had been handpicked by King Carol II, who granted them three months’ leave before resuming civilian jobs.
World Cup outcome: group stage exit.
