France vs Northern Ireland Preview

France host Northern Ireland at the Decathlon Arena – Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille on Monday evening, in what serves as the final home friendly for Les Bleus before they head to North America for the World Cup. For Northern Ireland, who did not qualify for the tournament, it is a chance to test themselves against one of the world’s elite sides before their Nations League campaign resumes in the autumn.

France come into this fixture having suffered a surprise setback in their most recent outing, a 2–1 home defeat to Ivory Coast — an unexpected stumble that will have provided a sharp reminder not to take anything for granted. Prior to that, however, they had been in imperious form, winning three consecutive matches away from home. Before that defeat, they claimed a commanding 3–1 victory away in Colombia. Before that, they won 2–1 away in Brazil in one of the standout results of the recent international window. Earlier in this run, they won 3–1 away in Azerbaijan, and the sequence began with a crushing 4–0 home win over Ukraine. The Ivory Coast result aside, France’s form has been outstanding — and on home soil in front of their own supporters, a response is to be expected.

Northern Ireland arrive in mixed but not dispiriting shape. Their most recent outing produced a solid 1–0 home win over Guinea where they ended the game with 10 men — a clean sheet and a confidence boost ahead of this trip. Prior to that, they earned a creditable 1–1 draw away in Wales. Before that, they were beaten 2–0 away by Italy in a qualifying fixture. Earlier in this run, they took all three points at home against Luxembourg with a 1–0 win, and the sequence began with a 1–0 defeat away in Slovakia. Two wins, a draw and two narrow defeats tells the story of a side that is competitive and well-organised defensively, even if their attacking output remains limited.

The head-to-head record strongly favours France, who have won both recorded meetings between these sides — both on home soil. Most recently, France won 4–1 at home in July 1982. In the previous encounter, they won 4–0 at home in June 1958.

The gap in quality is considerable, but Northern Ireland have shown they are capable of keeping things tight. France, stung by the Ivory Coast result and preparing to sit in the spotlight at the World Cup, will be highly motivated to put on a performance. A comfortable home win looks the most likely outcome, but Northern Ireland will make France work for every chance.

In the UK, the match is live on BBC Three and BBC Two Northern Ireland, and available to stream via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. In France, viewers can watch on TF1 and TF1+, with the game also available via Molotov and myCANAL. In the United States, the fixture can be seen on Fox Sports 2, fuboTV and the FOX Sports App.

Lineups & Injuries

France (4-2-3-1) Maignan, Koundé, Konaté, Upamecano, Hernández, Tchouaméni, Rabiot, Olise, Cherki, Thuram, Mbappé

Northern Ireland (3-4-2-1) Charles, Devenny, Brown, McConville, Price, Charles, McDonnell, Atcheson, Donley, Morrison, Smyth

France Form

Result	Home Team	Score	Away Team	Competition	Date
❌	France	1 – 2	Ivory Coast	International Friendly	Jun 4, 2026
✅	Colombia	1 – 3	France	International Friendly	Mar 29, 2026
✅	Brazil	1 – 2	France	International Friendly	Mar 26, 2026
✅	Azerbaijan	1 – 3	France	International Friendly	Nov 16, 2025
✅	France	4 – 0	Ukraine	International Friendly	Nov 13, 2025

Northern Ireland Form

Result	Home Team	Score	Away Team	Competition	Date
✅	Northern Ireland	1 – 0	Guinea	International Friendly	Jun 4, 2026
🤝	Wales	1 – 1	Northern Ireland	International Friendly	Mar 31, 2026
❌	Italy	2 – 0	Northern Ireland	International Friendly	Mar 26, 2026
✅	Northern Ireland	1 – 0	Luxembourg	International Friendly	Nov 17, 2025
❌	Slovakia	1 – 0	Northern Ireland	International Friendly	Nov 14, 2025

Head to Head

Home Team	Score	Away Team	Competition	Date
France	4 – 1	Northern Ireland	World Cup	Jul 4, 1982
France	4 – 0	Northern Ireland	World Cup	Jun 19, 1958

TV Listings / Streaming

Country	Channel
Great Britain	BBC Three, BBC Two Northern Ireland, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Web
Ireland	BBC Three, BBC Two Northern Ireland, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Web
France	TF1, TF1+, Molotov, myCANAL
USA	Fox Sports 2, fuboTV, FOX Sports App, FOX One
Germany	DAZN Germany
Australia	Stan Sport
Canada	DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada
Italy	SKY Go Italia, Sky Sport Calcio, NOW TV
Portugal	Sport TV1, Sport TV Multiscreen
Norway	TV2 Sport Viaplay Norway, TV 2 Play