France Takes On Côte d'Ivoire: Key Matchup Breakdown, Bold Predictions, and Expected Lineups

France will be eager to bounce back from the heartbreak of their 2022 World Cup final defeat to Argentina, with their sights set on recapturing the title they claimed four years prior.

Before that, though, Didier Deschamps's squad have a pair of warm-up friendlies to navigate, beginning with a fixture against Côte d'Ivoire on Thursday, June 4.

While the African nation has never advanced past the World Cup group stage, they are far from a straightforward opponent.

Les Éléphants are three-time Africa Cup of Nations champions, went through qualifying without a single defeat, and boast arguably their most formidable squad since their celebrated eras of the 2000s and 2010s—combining exciting emerging talent with proven stars throughout the team.

Here's what to anticipate when the two nations go head-to-head.

France vs. Côte d'Ivoire Score Prediction

France Given Run for Its Money

France and Côte d'Ivoire have crossed paths just three times throughout their history—in 2005, 2016 and 2022—with Les Bleus claiming victory in the first and most recent meetings, while the middle encounter finished level.

Deschamps's side are expected to keep that unbeaten record intact, though it may not be a straightforward task.

France, buoyed by friendly victories over Colombia and Brazil in March, possess a remarkable depth of attacking options, ranging from Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé to Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, Bradley Barcola, Désiré Doué and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who provides a more physical presence in attack.

Côte d'Ivoire, however, are no easy proposition. Their backline, featuring the likes of Ousmane Diomande, Wilfried Singo, Guéla Doué, Evan Ndicka and Odilon Kossounou, is arguably their most formidable department.

At the other end, France still carry world-class quality, yet do have some less seasoned international defenders such as Maxence Lacroix and Malo Gusto—areas the Ivorians, with their own attacking weapons including the rising Yan Diomande, will look to target.

Anticipate a closely contested match featuring high-quality attacking football, offset by solid defensive resolve from both teams.

Score Prediction: France 2–1 Côte d'Ivoire

France Predicted Lineup vs. Côte d'Ivoire

France carry just one fitness concern into the match against Côte d'Ivoire, with William Saliba having aggravated a back problem during Arsenal's Champions League final loss to Paris Saint-Germain last weekend and now set to miss out, with Real Madrid-bound Ibrahima Konaté expected to step in.

Aside from that, Deschamps has the benefit of a near fully-fit squad to select from.

The key decision is whether he opts for his strongest available XI to build cohesion ahead of the tournament, or rotates to hand fringe players valuable game time while protecting key figures.

Dembélé, Doué, Barcola, Warren Zaïre-Emery and Lucas Hernandez, fresh off their Champions League victory with PSG, are likely to be given a rest, though they could still feature from the bench.

Mbappé, just one goal shy of equalling France's all-time scoring record, is anticipated to start, potentially on the left rather than through the middle, alongside regulars such as Olise, Jules Koundé and goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

France predicted lineup vs. Côte d'Ivoire (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Koundé, Konate, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Kanté, Tchouaméni; Olise, Cherki, Mbappé; Thuram.

Côte d'Ivoire Predicted Lineup vs. France

For Côte d'Ivoire, there is a comparable concern at centre-back, with both Odilon Kossounou and Evan Ndicka—regular fixtures in Emerse Faé's starting XI—expected to be absent through injury. That should see Ousmane Diomande come into the side, potentially partnered by Emmanuel Agbadou.

In midfield, Faé is likely to deploy a robust trio of captain Franck Kessié, Seko Fofana and Ibrahim Sangaré, charged with disrupting France's attacking play early and asserting themselves over the more technical players in the engine room.

Further up the pitch, Yan Diomande looks almost certain to feature from the start, while Nicolas Pépé, who rounded off the 2025–26 season impressively with Villarreal—registering seven goal contributions (three goals and four assists) across his final six La Liga outings to help them secure third place—will add experience and creativity on the wing.

Up front, young Bazoumana Touré could lead the attack, completing an energetic and well-structured XI that should give France plenty to think about.

Côte d'Ivoire predicted lineup vs. France (4-3-3): Lafont; Doué, Agbadou, Diomande, Konan; Kessié, Sangaré, Fofana; Y. Diomande, Touré, Pépé.

What Time Does France vs. Côte d'Ivoire Kick Off?

How to Watch France vs. Côte d'Ivoire on TV, Live Stream