WASHINGTON D.C. – France secured a 3-1 victory over Colombia in a friendly match played at Northwest Stadium on Saturday, March 29, 2026, as they continue preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Despite fielding a heavily rotated squad, Les Bleus demonstrated their depth and quality, with Désiré Doué scoring twice and Marcus Thuram adding another goal. The win concludes a mini-tour of the United States for the French national team.
The match served as a final tune-up for France before head coach Didier Deschamps announces his World Cup squad in mid-May. Deschamps opted to make eleven changes to the starting lineup that defeated Brazil 2-1 in their previous friendly, giving several players an opportunity to showcase their abilities. Despite the significant personnel changes, France maintained control throughout much of the contest.
Doué Shines as France Overcomes Colombia
Désiré Doué opened the scoring in the 30th minute, giving France a 1-0 lead. Marcus Thuram extended the advantage before halftime with a header in the 41st minute, making it 2-0. Doué added his second goal of the match in the 56th minute, seemingly putting the game beyond Colombia’s reach at 3-0. Jaminton Campaz managed to pull one back for Colombia in the 77th minute, but it proved to be a consolation goal as the French defense held firm.
The victory highlighted France’s impressive squad depth, as the “B-team” delivered a convincing performance. Deschamps had signaled his intention to rotate the squad following the win against Brazil, and he followed through by giving every player on the roster a chance to play during the two matches in the United States.
Deschamps Voices Concerns Over Physicality
While pleased with the result, Deschamps expressed his frustration with the overly aggressive tactics employed by the Colombian team. He was particularly incensed by a late challenge on Michael Olise that he felt was dangerous, and unnecessary. “I told the fourth official: ‘We’re not in American football!’ There are no tackles!” Deschamps stated to TF1, as reported by Goal.com. “No serious consequences, fortunately.”
Deschamps feared the worst for Olise, adding, “About the tackle on Michael, if he doesn’t jump, he can break his leg! We’re in a friendly match… aggressiveness is okay, we know what it is, but it goes a little beyond that.” He acknowledged the typical physicality of South American teams but felt the challenge on Olise crossed the line, especially given the absence of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the friendly.
The French coach noted that the lack of VAR may have contributed to the more reckless challenges, stating, “Knowing that there’s no VAR helps that a bit, especially on that last action, the last tackle on Michael Olise… Luckily he jumped, otherwise he’d only have one leg left!”
Colombia Shows Spirit Despite Defeat
Despite the loss, Colombia’s coach Néstor Lorenzo was reportedly satisfied with his team’s effort and commitment. The Colombian side demonstrated resilience throughout the match, but lacked the clinical finishing needed to trouble the French defense consistently. They were dangerous on the counterattack at times, but ultimately struggled to convert their opportunities.
What’s Next for France?
Deschamps is set to announce his final World Cup squad on May 14th, as previously stated in an interview with L’Équipe. The friendly matches against Brazil and Colombia provided valuable insights into the form and fitness of his players, and he will now have the difficult task of narrowing down his roster to the final 26. The team will reconvene in late May to initiate their final preparations for the tournament.
The win over Colombia caps off a successful US tour for France, providing a positive momentum heading into the World Cup. The team’s ability to perform well even with a rotated squad demonstrates the depth of talent at Deschamps’ disposal. However, the concerns over the aggressive play of opponents, as highlighted by Deschamps, will likely be a point of focus as they prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.
Key Stats:
- France 3 – 1 Colombia
- Goals: Désiré Doué (30’, 56’), Marcus Thuram (41’); Jaminton Campaz (77’)
- Venue: Northwest Stadium, Washington D.C.
The French national team will now return to their respective clubs before regrouping for the World Cup, hoping to carry this positive form into the tournament. Fans will be eagerly awaiting Deschamps’ squad announcement and the start of France’s World Cup campaign.
