The French national team regained their composure before heading to the United States for the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off on Thursday, with a 3-1 victory over their Northern Irish visitors. Michael Olise scored a hat-trick in the friendly match in Villeneuve-d'Ascq in northern France.

In his final appearance on French soil as coach of the national team, which he led to the 2018 World Cup title in Russia and the 2022 runner-up finish in Qatar, Didier Deschamps started the match with his preferred lineup, which he is expected to field in their opening World Cup match against Senegal in eight days at MetLife Stadium in New York.

Ousmane Dembélé returned to the team after missing last Thursday’s surprise 1-2 defeat to Ivory Coast in Nantes, having rested after playing in the Champions League final and winning it for the second time in a row with Paris Saint-Germain. Arsenal defender William Saliba also returned after recovering from a back injury to play in place of Ibrahima Konaté.