Colombie-France (1-3): Les Doublures Jouent les Premiers Rôles

WASHINGTON – A Washington D.C. This Sunday, March 29, 2026, a largely rotated France squad delivered a convincing 3-1 victory over Colombia, building on the momentum from their recent match against Brazil. The performance, fueled by a spirited display from captain N’Golo Kanté and a host of attacking options, suggests a growing depth within Didier Deschamps’ squad as they prepare for this summer’s World Cup.

Kanté Leads the Way on Landmark Day

N’Golo Kanté, celebrating his 35th birthday, captained Les Bleus against Colombia with eleven new starters in the lineup. Despite a challenging start, facing intense pressure from the outset, Kanté orchestrated the midfield with his trademark energy and tactical intelligence. He appeared to initially feel his age, but quickly found his rhythm, disrupting Colombian attacks and driving France forward. His influence was pivotal in establishing control and unlocking the opposition defense.

Attacking Depth on Full Display

This US tour is rapidly shaping up to be a resounding success for France, offering a positive indication ahead of the Coupe du Monde. For some time, the national team had struggled to find consistency, weighed down by the competing demands of club and international football. Now, there’s a clear sense of purpose and a growing confidence within the squad. Deschamps is facing a welcome problem: a surplus of talented attacking players.

Kylian Mbappé and Hugo Ekitike, impactful substitutes against Colombia, had previously shone against Brazil. Désiré Doué scored twice, though his overall performance wasn’t dominant, whereas Marcus Thuram as well found the net, ending a scoring drought stretching back to November 18, 2023, when he featured in a 14-0 victory over Gibraltar. This offensive firepower presents a significant challenge for any opponent.

Akliouche and Thuram Impress, Competition for Spots Heats Up

The attacking options available to Deschamps are plentiful and interchangeable – with the exception of Mbappé, who entered the match in the 78th minute. The absence of Bradley Barcola, sidelined by injury, hasn’t diminished the attacking threat. Players like Maghnes Akliouche and Marcus Thuram have seized their opportunities, positioning themselves firmly in contention for a place in the final World Cup squad. Randal Kolo Muani, who didn’t start either match this week, faces an uphill battle to secure his place.

The commitment and effort displayed by the team, even from Mbappé who seemed to cover more ground than usual against Brazil, coupled with the solidity in midfield provided by Aurélien Tchouaméni and Kanté, points to a strong team spirit. These are the qualities that define successful international teams, and suggest France is well-equipped to build a deep run in the tournament.

Lacroix and Hernandez Make Positive Contributions

The friendly matches also provided opportunities for new faces to impress. Maxence Lacroix earned his first two caps, demonstrating promising potential, while Lucas Hernandez enjoyed a successful return to the starting lineup in central defense. Despite a slightly disjointed finish to the match, likely due to numerous substitutions, the overall experience has been positive. The team returns to France on Monday morning with a clear focus on the World Cup.

Deschamps Navigating a Plethora of Options

Didier Deschamps now faces the enviable task of selecting his final squad. He has an abundance of quality players and must carefully consider which combinations will provide the best balance and tactical flexibility. Crucially, he needs to maintain team harmony, ensuring that those who don’t make the starting eleven remain motivated and contribute positively to the group.

The two matches have also validated Deschamps’ offensive system, developed over the past year, which relies on dynamic attacking players who can consistently find the back of the net. The ability to rotate players without sacrificing quality is a significant asset.

What’s Next for Les Bleus?

France will now return to Europe to continue their preparations for the World Cup, which will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The squad will be officially announced on May 14th, and Deschamps will undoubtedly be carefully evaluating his options in the coming weeks. The next confirmed checkpoint for fans will be the official squad announcement, followed by pre-tournament friendlies as the team fine-tunes its preparations for the global stage.

The positive performances and growing depth within the squad suggest that France is a serious contender for the title. The blend of experience, youth, and tactical flexibility makes them a formidable opponent for any team.

What are your thoughts on France’s chances at the World Cup? Share your predictions and opinions in the comments below!