Landover, Maryland – Following a prestigious victory over Brazil, Les Bleus will offer playing time to their reserves against Colombia on Sunday at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, in what represents one of the final opportunities to assess the squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match kicks off at 8:00 PM Eastern Time (00:00 UTC, Monday).
After a strong performance from their established stars on Thursday in Foxborough, Massachusetts, manager Didier Deschamps can now turn his attention to evaluating players vying for a place on the final roster. This American tour, designed to expose as many players as possible to international competition, is crucial as the deadline for announcing the World Cup squad – initially slated for May 13th but moved to May 14th to avoid a clash with a Ligue 1 match between Lens and Paris Saint-Germain – rapidly approaches.
While the core of the squad for the tournament appears largely settled, opportunities remain for players to challenge the established hierarchy. Sunday’s match against Colombia provides a significant platform for those hoping to influence Deschamps’ final decisions. Following this, France has two further friendly matches scheduled: against Côte d’Ivoire on June 4th in Nantes and against an opponent yet to be determined on June 8th in Lille, before the team departs for Boston on June 9th, where they will establish their base camp for the World Cup.
Cherki and Akliouche Eager to Impress
“It’s time for rotation. I want to see as many players on the field as possible,” Deschamps explained during a press conference on Saturday. “This is an opportunity to prepare for the competition,” added midfielder N’Golo Kanté, who will captain the side on his 35th birthday.
The crowd at Northwest Stadium, home of the Washington Commanders NFL franchise, likely won’t see much of Kylian Mbappé. The captain, who scored his 56th international goal against Brazil – one shy of Olivier Giroud’s all-time record – is being rested as he continues to regain full fitness following a nearly month-long absence due to a left knee sprain.
Desiré Doué, the PSG attacker who was experiencing discomfort in his back on Friday, is reportedly feeling better, but midfielder Adrien Rabiot, nursing a knee injury, is expected to remain sidelined.
Attention will focus on the performances of young attacking talents Rayan Cherki of Manchester City and Maghnes Akliouche of Monaco. However, breaking into the established attacking quartet of Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Randal Kolo Muani, and Michael Olise – who impressed against Brazil – will be a significant challenge.
Hernandez or Digne at Left Back?
One of the key selection questions heading into the World Cup revolves around the left-back position. A competition has developed between Théo Hernandez, whose performance against Brazil was mixed, and Lucas Digne. Digne had previously established himself as the first-choice option but has lost his starting role at Aston Villa, presenting an opportunity to reclaim his place in the national team.
Colombia, finalists at the 2024 Copa América and currently third in South American World Cup qualifying, represent a formidable opponent. Managed by Argentinian Nestor Lorenzo, they boast the second-best attack on the continent, trailing only the World Cup champions Argentina. Players like Luis Díaz (Bayern Munich) and Jhon Arias (Palmeiras), along with veteran James Rodríguez (Minnesota United FC), pose a significant threat to the French defense. This match will serve as a valuable test for Deschamps’ reserve players.
“Colombia has a lot of quality. We will respect them as we respected Brazil,” Deschamps stated.
The match in Landover provides a final opportunity for fringe players to make their case. The stakes are high as Deschamps continues to refine his squad ahead of a World Cup campaign where France will undoubtedly be among the favorites. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11th to July 19th, promises a thrilling spectacle, and Deschamps is determined to arrive with a squad capable of lifting the trophy.
This friendly serves as a crucial dress rehearsal, allowing Deschamps to experiment with different combinations and assess the depth of his squad before the pressure of the World Cup intensifies. The outcome in Landover, while not decisive, will undoubtedly influence the final selection decisions and shape the team’s preparations for the challenges ahead.
Next up for France: a friendly against Côte d’Ivoire on June 4th in Nantes, followed by another warm-up match on June 8th in Lille against an opponent yet to be confirmed.
What are your thoughts on Deschamps’ rotation policy? Share your predictions for the match against Colombia in the comments below!
