LANDOVER, MD – France continued its impressive preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 3-1 victory over Colombia on Sunday at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. The win, coming just days after a 2-1 triumph over Brazil, showcased the depth of Didier Deschamps’ squad, with a fully rotated starting eleven delivering a convincing performance in front of 68,000 spectators.
While the spotlight often falls on established stars like Kylian Mbappé, this match provided a platform for emerging talents Désiré Doué and Marcus Thuram to make a significant impact, potentially solidifying their places in Deschamps’ plans for the tournament. The friendly international served as a valuable opportunity to assess players ahead of the expanded 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Doué’s Breakthrough Performance
Désiré Doué, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, was the standout performer for Les Bleus, scoring both of France’s first-half goals. It was a particularly noteworthy outing for the 19-year-old, who had yet to find the back of the net in his previous five appearances for the national team. Doué opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a deflected shot, the ball taking a touch off Colombian defender Muñoz before nestling into the net. He doubled the lead shortly after halftime, in the 56th minute, expertly finishing a move initiated by Thuram.
“It’s a lot, a lot of pride, I am very happy,” Doué told TF1 after the match. “I try to do my best in every match, I am rewarded today, it’s great.” His performance demonstrated a composure and attacking intent that will undoubtedly be remembered by Deschamps as he finalizes his squad selection.
Thuram Continues to Impress
Marcus Thuram, the Inter Milan forward, also delivered a strong performance, adding his name to the scoresheet with a powerful header in the 41st minute. This goal marked his third for France, surpassing the total of his father, Lilian Thuram, who scored twice in 142 international appearances. Thuram’s ability to find the back of the net, coupled with his assist for Doué’s second goal, highlighted his growing influence in the French attack.
“I hope I helped the team with a goal and an assist, I am happy for the victory,” Thuram said on TF1. His form is particularly encouraging for Deschamps, who is building an increasingly potent attacking unit.
France’s Attacking Depth on Display
The match underscored the remarkable attacking options available to Deschamps. After making wholesale changes to the team that defeated Brazil, France didn’t miss a beat, with Doué, Thuram, and Cherki all excelling in attack. The depth of the squad was further emphasized by the introduction of players like Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Hugo Ekitike, and Olise from the bench.
This abundance of talent provides Deschamps with tactical flexibility and the ability to adapt to different opponents. The midfield pairing of Warren Zaïre-Emery and N’Golo Kanté also appears to be a formidable backup option, offering both defensive solidity and creative passing. The only area of concern for Deschamps appears to be central defense, where he will be hoping for William Saliba to regain full fitness and for either Ibrahima Konaté or Dayot Upamecano to be in top form.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 World Cup
These two victories in the United States have reinforced France’s status as one of the favorites for the 2026 World Cup. Drawn into a challenging group alongside Senegal and Norway, Deschamps knows his side will need to hit the ground running. The team’s ability to perform consistently, even with a rotated squad, suggests they are well-prepared for the challenges ahead.
Despite the defeat, Colombia showed enough promise to suggest they will be a difficult opponent for most teams. However, France’s attacking prowess proved too much to handle on this occasion. The team’s success in these friendlies is a testament to Deschamps’ tactical acumen and the quality of the players at his disposal.
Mbappé entered the game late in the second half, replacing Ekitike in the 63rd minute, and briefly thought he had equaled Olivier Giroud’s all-time leading goalscoring record for France, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
France’s next scheduled match is a Euro 2028 qualifier against [To be determined – schedule not yet available], providing another opportunity to fine-tune the team’s preparations. Fans can follow official updates and team news on the French Football Federation’s website: [https://www.fff.fr/](https://www.fff.fr/).
