With the World Cup just days away, France’s final preparation matches loom large. Didier Deschamps’ team faces Côte d’Ivoire and Northern Ireland before the tournament kicks off. But these exhibition games have always carried unpredictable twists for the Bleus.

The heartbreak of Cissé and Zidane’s miss

France vs China, June 7, 2006

Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium witnessed a nightmare scenario. Djibril Cissé, making his first appearance for France, suffered a double leg fracture from a tackle by Chinese captain Zheng Zhi. The injury forced him out of the tournament. Later, Zinedine Zidane missed his only penalty in a France shirt—a rare blemish on his legendary career. Though he would score twice more in the actual World Cup, that miss against China remains unforgettable.

Tournament outcome: runners-up

Zidane’s thigh injury in South Korea

South Korea vs France: 2-3, May 26, 2002

Fresh from lifting the Champions League with Real Madrid, Zidane arrived late to the France squad due to family reasons. Exhausted and playing in brutal conditions, he suffered a thigh injury against South Korea. The incident marked the beginning of the end for Roger Lemerre’s team, which would crash out in the group stage.

Tournament outcome: group-stage elimination

The ‘assassin’ in jersey number 21

Finland vs France: 0-1, June 5, 1998

Christophe Dugarry’s missed chance in Helsinki earned him the nickname ‘assassin’ from pundit Jean-Michel Larqué. The controversy led to a team boycott of Téléfoot the next day. A week later, Stéphane Guivarc’h started the World Cup but it was Dugarry, wearing number 21, who scored the decisive goal.

Tournament outcome: world champions

A chaotic three-part warm-up

France vs Guatemala: 8-1, May 21, 1986

In Tlaxcala, Mexico, at 2,230 meters altitude, Henri Michel’s team played a bizarre three-part match (98 minutes total) on a rough pitch. The unusual conditions and scheduling—kicked off at noon—sparked complaints from players like Jean Tigana about commercial impositions.

Tournament outcome: third place

Tunisia match marred by controversy

France vs Tunisia: 2-0, May 19, 1978

A week after Michel Hidalgo’s squad announcement, France faced Tunisia in Villeneuve-d’Ascq. A banner read: ‘Argentina 1978: no football between concentration camps.’ Despite a slow start, Michel Platini scored twice after coming on, silencing the crowd’s jeers.

Tournament outcome: group-stage elimination

Scotland’s modest opponents

Selkirk vs France: 2-11, July 7, 1966

To boost morale, France played tiny Scottish sides—Gala Fairydean Rovers (8-1) and Vale of Leithen (8-0)—before facing Selkirk. A scheduling dispute arose when Lucien Muller refused to play, claiming his exclusion was premeditated. Henri Guérin praised the team’s spirit despite the odd setup.

Tournament outcome: group-stage elimination

Just Fontaine’s breakthrough

Narke vs France: 0-12, May 25, 1958

With Raymond Kopa unavailable, France dismantled a third- and fourth-division Swedish team. Just Fontaine, then a fringe player, scored four goals. A week later, he repeated the feat against a ‘stronger’ Narke selection. His performances launched the legend of the World Cup’s all-time top scorer (13 goals).

Tournament outcome: third place

Belgium’s experimental squad

Belgium vs France: 3-3, May 30, 1954

Gaston Barreau shook up his team, dropping five key players including René Vignal and Roger Piantoni. The experiment backfired. Meanwhile, an unrelated France B team lost to Spain (0-2), and Roger Marche was controversially left out entirely. The disjointed approach showed.

Tournament outcome: group-stage elimination

England’s tactical failure

Netherlands vs France: 4-5, May 10, 1934

New manager George Kimpton tried to impose his unfamiliar WM formation two weeks before the World Cup. Against the Netherlands, France’s defense crumbled. Kimpton’s frustration boiled over in Italy, where he reportedly told midfielder Georges Verriest: ‘If he goes to the bathroom, you go too!’ after France lost to Austria.

Tournament outcome: group-stage elimination

A historic cruise and first World Cup match

France vs Romania: 4-2, July 10, 1930

Thirteen days aboard the Conte Verde cruise ship forged bonds between the French and Romanian teams. Their friendly in Uruguay, just days before the inaugural World Cup, ended 4-2 in France’s favor. Romania’s players had been granted three months’ leave by King Carol II to prepare.

Tournament outcome: group-stage elimination