Colombia Takes on France in High-Stakes International Friendly: Key Predictions, Matchup Breakdown, and Expected Lineups

France is aiming for consecutive victories against South American sides when they face Colombia in Maryland, United States, in Sunday's international friendly.

Brazil were France's opponents on Thursday as Didier Deschamps's squad played their opening fixture of the calendar year, with Les Bleus getting off to a winning start in 2026 despite spending much of the game reduced to 10 men. Dayot Upamecano's dismissal failed to stop the two-time world champions from securing a confidence-boosting 2–1 win, with goals from Kylian Mbappé and Hugo Ekitiké sealing the result.

France will be eager for another solid showing against a tricky Colombia side considered potential dark horses at this summer's World Cup, though it was their upcoming opponents who came out on top in the last encounter between these teams—Colombia overturning a two-goal deficit to win a 2018 friendly 3–2.

Colombia failed to begin the year with a win on Thursday, however, throwing away an early advantage in a 2–1 loss to France's 2018 World Cup final rivals Croatia. Despite naming a strong starting eleven, Néstor Lorenzo's side could not build on Jhon Arias's second-minute opener.

Can they fare better against FIFA's third-ranked nation?

Colombia vs. France Score Prediction

France to Collect Successive Wins

France was not at its scintillating best against Brazil on Thursday, yet it showed regular flashes of brilliance—particularly in the attacking third. Deschamps has the benefit of international football's most well-stocked squad and will call upon its fringe players against Colombia, without sacrificing overall quality.

Colombia will make things difficult—as they typically do—but France may prove just a step too strong for Lorenzo's outfit. A standout performance from Luis Díaz would be needed to inspire an upset, though Colombia may still fall short of the clinical edge required to topple Les Bleus.

Prediction: Colombia 1–2 France

Colombia Predicted Lineup

Colombia are unlikely to make wholesale changes from the starting eleven that lost to Croatia, particularly given they appeared to come through that match without any injury concerns.

Díaz, James Rodríguez and Luis Suárez carry the creative responsibility for the clash with Les Bleus, though Colombia's defensive leaders are equally vital. Centre-back pairing Jhon Lucumí and Davinson Sánchez will need to be at their very best.

There may be a switch in goal, with 129-cap veteran David Ospina potentially handed another start.

Colombia predicted lineup vs. France (4-2-3-1): Ospina; Muñoz, Lucumí, Sánchez, Machado; Ríos, Lerma; Arias, Rodríguez, Díaz; Suárez.

France Predicted Lineup

Deschamps could ring in several changes from the side that defeated Brazil. Pierre Kalulu and Maxence Lacroix may come into the backline, while Warren Zaïre-Emery merits a starting role following an impressive season with Paris Saint-Germain.

Mbappé could be rested to the bench as France manages his workload, with Marcus Thuram taking his place up front. Rayan Cherki and Désire Doué could also come in to bolster an already star-studded attacking unit.

France is without several key regulars for this international window, with William Saliba, Jules Koundé and Bradley Barcola among the notable absentees.

France predicted lineup vs. Colombia (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kalulu, Konaté, Lacroix, T. Hernández; Tchouaméni, Zaïre-Emery; Doué, Cherki, Ekitiké; Thuram.

What Time Does Colombia vs. France Kick Off?

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