French Team: gathering at Clairefontaine, preparation matches, departure to the United States… The program of the Blues until the World Cup.

In a little over three weeks, they will be on American soil. Didier Deschamps revealed the names of the 26 players selected for the 2026 World Cup with the French team on Thursday, May 14. An eagerly awaited step, symbolically marking the start of the adventure for the French team, which hopes to win its third star at the end of the tournament, played from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

After the relief for some and the joy for others of being part of the squad, everyone will now turn their attention to this major opportunity. Placed in Group I, France will have a tough schedule with Senegal’s Sadio Mane, the Iraqis who made it through the intercontinental play-offs, and Erling Haaland’s Norway to wrap up. In other words, Didier Deschamps’ team – back at the top of the FIFA rankings for the first time since 2018 – must be ready from the start.

So what are the next key dates in the preparation of the Blues? The serious business will begin on May 29, the day the troops gather at Clairefontaine, knowing that the various championships conclude no later than Sunday, May 24.

Two friendly matches in France in early June

While Jean-Philippe Mateta and Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace) are expected to be present, six players will be missing due to their Champions League final on May 30 in Budapest. These include Parisians (Ousmane Dembele, Dayot Upamecano, Bradley Barcola, Warren Zaire-Emery, and Lucas Hernandez) and Arsenal defender William Saliba, who will join the Blues no later than early June.

Next, two friendly matches in France: first in Nantes on June 4 against Ivory Coast (9:10 PM), then against Northern Ireland on June 8 in Lille (9:10 PM). The departure for Boston, where the selection established its base camp at the downtown Four Seasons Hotel, is scheduled for June 10 so that Kylian Mbappe’s teammates will be on American soil when the competition officially begins with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa the next day.

It will then be a matter of adjusting to the time difference and building up to the entry of the Blues: on June 16 in New York against Senegal (3:00 PM local time), reigning African champions. This will be followed by Iraq on June 22 in Philadelphia (5:00 PM) and Norway on June 26 in Boston (3:00 PM), with the French hoping to reach the round of 16.

Follow all the FIFA World Cup matches live on M6+.

Key dates to remember: – Gathering at Clairefontaine: May 29 – Friendly match 1: France-Ivory Coast, June 4 at 9:10 PM in Nantes – Friendly match 2: France-Northern Ireland, June 8 in Lille – Departure for Boston: June 10 – World Cup – Matchday 1: France-Senegal, June 16 at 9:00 PM at MetLife Stadium in New York (USA), on M6 – World Cup – Matchday 2: France-Iraq, June 22 at 11:00 PM at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia (USA), on M6 – World Cup – Matchday 3: Norway-France, June 26 at 9:00 PM at Gillette Stadium in Boston (USA), on M6.