Deschamps and Faé to Face Ivory Coast in Nantes

France will open its 2026 World Cup preparation with a friendly against Ivory Coast on Thursday at 21:10. The match takes place at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes. Coaches Didier Deschamps and Emerse Faé will oversee their sides. Both Deschamps and Faé began their coaching careers at Nantes, known as the Canaris. The meeting is symbolic because both coaches were trained at Nantes, the Canaris. The game marks the first preparatory encounter for France ahead of the 2026 tournament. It provides an early test of the squad under Deschamps. The encounter will offer the first glimpse of the French lineup before the World Cup. Observers will gauge how the team adapts under Faé's opposition.