France and Côte d’Ivoire published their official lineups for france – côte d'ivoire on Thursday, and Kylian Mbappé started in a France attack built around Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki and Marcus Thuram. The friendly is part of preparation for the 2026 World Cup, and the selections give the clearest look yet at how both sides planned to open the match.
Mbappé Leads France Attack
France lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with Mike Maignan in goal. Jules Koundé, Ibrahima Konaté, Dayot Upamecano and Theo Hernandez formed the back four, while Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot anchored the midfield.
In front of them, Mbappé was the central forward with Olise, Cherki and Thuram behind him. That shape leaves France with one clear striker and three attackers tucked underneath, a setup that puts the ball on the front foot quickly through the central band.
Côte D’Ivoire’s 4-4-2
Côte d’Ivoire answered with a 4-4-2 and Yahia Fofana in goal. Guéla Doué, Emmanuel Agbadou, Wilfried Singo and Ghislain Konan made up the defense, with Seko Fofana and Franck Kessié in central midfield.
Simon Adingra and Yan Diomandé worked the wings, while Elye Wahi and Oumar Diakité started in attack. The structure gives Côte d’Ivoire two forwards from the outset and a wide midfield pair, a more conventional counter to France’s three-man line behind Mbappé.
France and Côte D'Ivoire Selections
France’s official lineup was Maignan, Koundé, Upamecano, Konaté, T. Hernandez, Tchouaméni, Rabiot, Olise, Cherki, Thuram and Mbappé. Côte d’Ivoire’s official lineup was Y. Fofana, G. Doué, Agbadou, Singo, Konan, Adingra, Fofana, Kessié, Y. Diomandé, Diakité and Wahi.
For both sides, the value of Thursday’s selection was in the shape as much as the names. France used its star forward in a front line designed to feed him early, while Côte d’Ivoire matched the night with a two-man attack and a midfield built around Fofana and Kessié. Anyone tracking either squad for the 2026 World Cup gets a direct read on the first choices the coaches wanted on the field.
