France’s world cup warm-up matches: 10 unforgettable games before the tournament

With the World Cup just days away (June 11), the French national team under Didier Deschamps faces Côte d’Ivoire and Northern Ireland in final tune-ups. Past warm-up games have delivered mixed fortunes, leaving uncertainty about the team’s future path.

The last two friendlies before the tournament pit France against Côte d’Ivoire in Nantes on June 5 and Northern Ireland in Lille on June 8. These matches follow a long tradition of crucial preparation encounters for Les Bleus. Let’s revisit ten warm-up games that left a lasting mark on French football history.

Djibril Cissé’s devastating injury against China (2006)

France vs China, June 7, 2006

In a heartbreaking moment at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, Djibril Cissé suffered a double fracture of his right tibia and fibula after a tackle by Chinese captain Zheng Zhi. The injury occurred in his very first touch of the game, marking the second time in two years he had suffered a similar break—this time, it would end his World Cup campaign before it began.

World Cup outcome: Finalists

Zidane’s rare miss and lasting legacy (2006)

France vs China, June 7, 2006

While Cissé’s injury dominated headlines, Zinédine Zidane etched another memorable moment into World Cup history by missing the only penalty of his international career. Though he would later score two crucial penalties in the tournament against Portugal and Italy, this miss became one of the most talked-about warm-up incidents.

Zidane’s thigh injury in South Korea (2002)

South Korea vs France: 2-3, May 26, 2002

Fresh from winning the Champions League with Real Madrid, Zidane played tired in Suwon and suffered a thigh injury that would derail France’s World Cup campaign. His absence, combined with other setbacks, signaled the beginning of the end for Roger Lemerre’s squad, which would go on to crash out in the group stage.

World Cup outcome: Group stage elimination

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