Michael Olise hat‑trick caps France's World Cup prep

France finished their 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations with a 3‑1 friendly victory over Northern Ireland. Michael Olise scored a hat‑trick to secure the win. Didier Deschamps fielded a 4‑2‑3‑1 with Kylian Mbappé as the central striker. Ousmane Dembélé operated in the hole while Désiré Doué started on the left and Olise retained his right‑wing role. Rayan Cherki, who impressed in the previous match, remained on the bench. William Saliba’s back injury was a major concern ahead of the tournament. He started the first half before being substituted at the break, easing fears for France but leaving Arsenal uneasy. Deschamps continues to search for a balanced formula despite the dominant scoreline. The attack relied on individual moments rather than cohesive play, and the defence appeared fragile across the two recent friendlies. Nick Hartland noted that stronger opponents could expose these vulnerabilities.