Special envoy to Marseilles
To discover
The complete calendar of the Blues
Where to follow the first match of the world champions in 2022?
Friendly meeting obliges, the television channels had the good idea to program this meeting at 9:15 p.m., on M6.
A late kickoff which will not “delight the youngest … or the oldest”, as an eminent colleague whispered to us on Thursday in the press room of the Vélodrome stadium.
The first meeting of Kylian Mbappé's partners in 2022 will also be to follow on our Figaro.fr site thanks to the live commentary of our journalist Teddy Vadeevaloo and our special correspondent in Marseille and follower of the Blues, Baptiste Desprez.
Read alsoFrance-Côte d'Ivoire: the Blues with a Griezmann, Giroud and Nkunku attack?
Which team should Didier Deschamps line up?
With or without Kylian Mbappé against Ivory Coast?
Victim of an "
ENT infection
Didier Deschamps said and absent from training this Friday, the PSG and Les Bleus striker is uncertain for Friday's match at the Vélodrome.
While waiting to find out if he can count on him, Didier Deschamps seems to be betting on an attacking trio made up of the returning Olivier Giroud, the newcomer Christopher Nkunku and the regular Antoine Griezmann.
In any case, this was revealed by the closed session on Thursday evening at the Stade Vélodrome.
Deprived of training in recent days, Presnel Kimpembe should start on the bench on Friday and give way to a defensive trio made up of Jules Koundé, Raphaël Varane and Lucas Hernandez.
In the middle, Kingsley Coman and Theo Hernandez are called upon to fulfill the functions of pistons, with the Tchouaméni / Pogba tandem recovering.
Read alsoHis career in blue, his ambitions, depression … The confidences of Paul Pogba in
Figaro
The probable eleven against Ivory Coast
:
Lloris - Koundé, Varane, L. Hernandez - Coman, Tchouameni, Pogba, T. Hernandez - Giroud (or Mbappé), Griezmann, Nkunku.
What is this selection of Côte d'Ivoire worth?
The Blues should not underestimate the Elephants of Côte d'Ivoire.
If it did not particularly shine during the African Cup of Nations this winter - eliminated in the round of 16 by Mohamed Salah's Egypt after penalties - the selection led by Patrice Beaumelle (51st nation in the FIFA) remains on a good run.
She has lost only one of her last 16 matches (10 wins and 5 draws).
It was against Cameroon, on November 16, during CAN qualifications (0-1).
Despite everything, it will not participate in the 2022 World Cup. Facing the France team, Côte d'Ivoire should present a very good team ... with in particular many players known to Ligue 1 followers.
The selection of the Elephants indeed includes many players who evolve, or who have passed, in the French elite.
To name a few: Serge Aurier (Toulouse FC, Paris Saint-Germain), Hassane Kamara (Stade de Reims, OGC Nice), Jean-Michaël Seri (OGC Nice, Girondins de Bordeaux), Max-Alain Gradel (AS Saint-Etienne, Toulouse FC) and Nicolas Pépé (SCO Angers, LOSC).
For his part, Sébastien Haller, second top scorer in the 2021-2022 edition of the Champions League just behind Robert Lewandowski, has never played in the first division in France.
He was nevertheless trained at AJ Auxerre and played in Ligue 2 for several seasons.
(Thomas Djezzane)
Serge Aurier (Toulouse FC, Paris Saint-Germain), Hassane Kamara (Stade de Reims, OGC Nice), Jean-Michaël Seri (OGC Nice, Girondins de Bordeaux), Max-Alain Gradel (AS Saint-Etienne, Toulouse FC) and Nicolas Pepe (SCO Angers, LOSC).
For his part, Sébastien Haller, second top scorer in the 2021-2022 edition of the Champions League just behind Robert Lewandowski, has never played in the first division in France.
He was nevertheless trained at AJ Auxerre and played in Ligue 2 for several seasons.
(Thomas Djezzane)
Serge Aurier (Toulouse FC, Paris Saint-Germain), Hassane Kamara (Stade de Reims, OGC Nice), Jean-Michaël Seri (OGC Nice, Girondins de Bordeaux), Max-Alain Gradel (AS Saint-Etienne, Toulouse FC) and Nicolas Pepe (SCO Angers, LOSC).
For his part, Sébastien Haller, second top scorer in the 2021-2022 edition of the Champions League just behind Robert Lewandowski, has never played in the first division in France.
He was nevertheless trained at AJ Auxerre and played in Ligue 2 for several seasons.
(Thomas Djezzane)
2021-2022 edition of the Champions League just behind Robert Lewandowski, has never played in the first division in France.
He was nevertheless trained at AJ Auxerre and played in Ligue 2 for several seasons.
(Thomas Djezzane)
2021-2022 edition of the Champions League just behind Robert Lewandowski, has never played in the first division in France.
He was nevertheless trained at AJ Auxerre and played in Ligue 2 for several seasons.
(Thomas Djezzane)
Why is this match being played at the Vélodrome stadium?
Beforehand, if the starting plan had been respected, the France team should have been in Qatar in March and not end up playing two friendly matches in front of their public.
But for financial reasons, the world champions did not make the trip to the site of the next World Cup.
Faced with this situation, it was decided by the FFF to “offer” two meetings to the French public in the provinces, so that the supporters find the Mbappé, Griezmann or even Pogba.
Eager to bring money into the coffers, the 3F quickly ticked the name of the Vélodrome stadium, as well as the enclosure of Pierre Mauroy in Villeneuve d'Ascq.
Bingo since the two matches will be sold out, ensuring substantial revenue for the federation.
I'
What is the program for the Blues between now and the World Cup in Qatar?
The Blues start their year 2022 in Marseille this Friday against Côte d'Ivoire in a friendly, then Tuesday in Villeneuve-d'Ascq against South Africa.
Beforehand, the world champions should have taken part in a mini-tournament in Qatar, a project approved due to the absence of a financial agreement between the two federations.
By the World Cup (November 21-December 18), whose group draw takes place on April 1 in Doha, Didier Deschamps' men will play eight games.
To the two friendlies scheduled during this international sequence, will be added four League of Nations matches in June (Denmark, Croatia twice and Austria) and two in September (reception of Croatia and Austria).
With a World Cup scheduled for winter and which will turn club seasons upside down,
Key dates for the France team in 2022
Friday March 25 (9:15 p.m.):
France - Ivory Coast in a friendly.
Tuesday March 29 (9:15 p.m.):
France - South Africa in a friendly.
Friday April 1 (5 p.m.):
draw in Doha for the groups for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Friday June 3 (8:45 p.m.)
: France - Denmark in the League of Nations.
Monday June 6 (8:45 p.m.):
Croatia - France in the League of Nations.
Friday June 10 (8:45 p.m.):
Austria - France in the League of Nations.
Monday June 13 (8:45 p.m.):
France - Croatia in the League of Nations.
Thursday September 22 (8:45 p.m.):
France - Austria in the League of Nations.
Sunday, September 25 (8:45 p.m.):
Denmark - France in the League of Nations.
Monday, November 14:
start of the player release period.
Monday 21 November:
kick off of the World Cup in Qatar.
Sunday 18 December:
Final in Doha.
