France vs Colombia: Deschamps to Rotate Squad & Lacroix Gets Another Chance | Team News & Lineup Preview

Landover, MD – Following a narrow 2-1 defeat to Brazil on Thursday at Gillette Stadium, the French national team is set for a significant shakeup ahead of their Sunday friendly against Colombia at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. Head coach Didier Deschamps has confirmed a complete overhaul of the starting lineup, providing opportunities for squad players as Les Bleus continue their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The match, part of the “Road to 26” series of international exhibitions, kicks off at 3:00 PM local time (7:00 PM GMT) on March 29, 2026, at Northwest Stadium, located a short distance from Washington D.C. The stadium will host a unique spectacle, with the game played in front of 300 students from the Lycée International Français de Rochambeau.

Deschamps’ decision to rotate the squad isn’t a surprise. “I’m changing everyone. It was planned,” he stated in a post-match press conference. “I want to notice the maximum from the second match. There are always lessons to be learned. Today, we have a new international with Maxence [Lacroix] who made a very decent entry.”

Brice Samba Returns in Goal, Kalulu Set to Debut

One of the most notable changes will see Brice Samba return between the posts. The Rennes goalkeeper hasn’t started a match for France since a friendly against Germany in March 2024, a game France lost 2-0 in Lyon. He will be looking to seize the opportunity to showcase his abilities.

The defense will also see a complete reshuffle. Crystal Palace’s Pierre Kalulu is expected to start at right-back, whereas Lucas Digne will feature on the left. The central defensive pairing will consist of Maxence Lacroix, earning his second cap after a promising appearance against Brazil, and Lucas Hernandez. This will be the first time this particular combination has played together.

Dayot Upamecano, sent off during the match against Brazil, has been released from the squad and has returned to Bayern Munich.

Kanté to Captain, Camavinga in Midfield Battle

In midfield, N’Golo Kanté is anticipated to captain the side. He will be partnered by Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga, although there is competition for that spot from Warren Zaïre-Emery, who made his debut in November 2025. The dynamic duo will be tasked with controlling the center of the pitch and providing a platform for the attacking players.

Cherki to Orchestrate Attack, Thuram Leads the Line

Rayan Cherki is expected to take up the attacking midfield role, with Maghnes Akliouche and Désiré Doué potentially flanking him on the right and left wings, respectively. Yet, Doué’s participation is uncertain due to a back issue, and he remained indoors during Friday’s training session.

Up front, Marcus Thuram is currently favored to lead the line, though he faces competition from Randal Kolo Muani, who is returning to the squad. The selection at striker is particularly important as Deschamps assesses his options ahead of announcing the final squad for the 2026 World Cup on May 13th.

The team arrived at The Ritz-Carlton in Washington D.C. On Thursday evening following their match against Brazil. They began training Friday afternoon, focusing on those players who did not feature in the first encounter. Ousmane Dembélé, Malo Gusto, and Hugo Ekitike were among those completing laps of the field.

This match against Colombia represents a valuable opportunity for Deschamps to evaluate players outside of his established starting eleven and experiment with different tactical approaches. The “Road to 26” series is designed to provide crucial preparation as France aims to develop a strong showing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Didier Deschamps and a player will address the media on Saturday evening (7:30 PM French time) before a final training session at the stadium, completing preparations for Sunday’s friendly.

Next Up: France will continue their World Cup preparations after the Colombia match, with the final squad announcement scheduled for May 13th. Fans can follow official updates and team news on the French Football Federation’s website.