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France vs Ivory Coast: Mbappé starts as centre-forward with Olise, Cherki and Thuram

Didier Deschamps unveiled his starting XI for the friendly match against Ivory Coast on Wednesday at 21:10 in Nantes as preparation for the 2026 World Cup. Kylian Mbappé is deployed as centre-forward, supported by a trio of Olise-Cherki-Thuram.

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France vs Ivory Coast: Mbappé starts as centre-forward with Olise, Cherki and Thuram
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Didier Deschamps announced his starting lineup for the France vs Ivory Coast friendly match, played on Wednesday, June 4 at 21:10 at Stade La Beaujoire-Louis-Fonteneau in Nantes, as part of preparation for the 2026 World Cup.

Mike Maignan is in goal behind a four-man defence made up of Jules Koundé, Ibrahima Konaté, Dayot Upamecano and Théo Hernandez. The midfield double pivot pairs Aurélien Tchouaméni with Adrien Rabiot.

In attack, Deschamps opted for Kylian Mbappé as centre-forward. The Real Madrid captain is supported by Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki and Marcus Thuram, who form an attacking trident behind him.

On the Ivorian side, the Elephants are built around an XI led by Franck Kessié wearing the armband, notably with Désiré Doué in defence, Ousmane Diomandé in central defence and Sébastien Haller replaced at the tip by Wahi, supported by Abdoulaye Diallo and Youssouf Diomandé.

Official Lineups

France: Maignan – Koundé, Konaté, Upamecano, T. Hernandez – Tchouaméni, Rabiot – Olise, Cherki, Thuram – Mbappé (c)

Ivory Coast: Y. Fofana – G. Doué, Kossounou, O. Diomandé, Konan – Sangaré, Oulaï, Kessié (c) – A. Diallo, Wahi, Y. Diomandé

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