Two-time World champions France face-off against African giants Ivory Coast as both nations continue preparations for the World Cup tournament this month.
Ayomide Oguntimehin provides more insight into the June 4 clash at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.
France vs Ivory Coast match preview
2022 World Cup finalists France gear up for the upcoming mundial with a tough test against Ivory Coast. The two-time champions have now reached consecutive finals of the World Cup, after winning the 2018 edition before losing on penalties to Lionel Messi and Argentina in the 2022 final.
Les Blues are one of the favourites heading into the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada due to their star-studded squad which includes the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki. They will compete at the 2026 World Cup in group I against Senegal, Iraq and Norway.
𝗗𝗲́𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀 !
Les Bleus affronteront la Côte d’Ivoire demain à 21h10 sur TF1 🇫🇷🇨🇮 pic.twitter.com/gSE6o9AD3M
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) June 3, 2026
Ivory Coast, meanwhile, will participate at the FIFA World Cup tournament for the first time since 2014, after failing to reach the last two editions. Since then, the Elephants have gone on to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament and now have several youngsters in their squad capable of causing problems for the opposition.
The likes of Yan Diomande and Amad Diallo could prove too difficult to handle for opponents on their day. The three-time African champions will play in group E alongside Curacao, Germany and Ecuador.
France vs Ivory Coast Head-to-Head
- 25.03.2022 – France 2-1 Ivory Coast
- 15.11.2016 – France 0-0 Ivory Coast
- 17.08.2005 – France 3-0 Ivory Coast
France are unbeaten in three previous meetings with Ivory Coast, winning two and recording one draw.
𝑹𝑬𝑻𝑹𝑶𝑼𝑽𝑨𝑰𝑳𝑳𝑬𝑺 🫂💙
Le groupe est désormais au complet 🙌 pic.twitter.com/zczKXtHET8
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) June 2, 2026
Best betting odds
Home (France) to Win – 1.33 (via 1xBet)
Prediction
France have dominated this clash in recent meetings and have enough quality in attack to create multiple chances and run away with victory over Ivory Coast.
Recent form: France
France have been in fine form recently, winning all of their last four matches, including wins over Colombia and Brazil in March.
Les Blues have only managed one clean sheet in their last four matches and have found the back of the net multiple times in all of their last eight outings.
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Recent form: Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast have also been impressive in recent outings, winning four of their last five, including wins over South Korea and Scotland in March.
The Elephants have kept clean sheets in both of their last two matches and have scored against their opponents in all of their last eight outings.
Player to watch
Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast)
Five African stars set to make their debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Manchester United forward Amad Diallo will be eyeing a key role for Ivory Coast against France. The 23-year-old’s pace and direct dribbling could cause the French defence problems in this encounter.
