Ivory Coast and France came together in a warm and cordial exchange in Nantes a day before their international friendly, underlining the spirit of respect and unity between the two nations ahead of Thursday night’s match.
The Ivorian delegation travelled to Nantes on Wednesday, where both squads met in a friendly environment as preparations continued for what is expected to be a competitive encounter between the African side and the reigning European champions.
The meeting formed part of the build-up to the fixture and offered players and staff from both teams an opportunity to interact in a relaxed setting before focusing on the final tactical preparations.
Ivory Coast’s players and officials were received in a positive atmosphere, with both teams exchanging greetings ahead of the highly anticipated match.
The Elephants will face France in Nantes on Thursday night, with the African side expected to field a strong lineup as they continue preparations for upcoming international competitions, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The friendly is seen as an important test for Ivory Coast, who are looking to measure themselves against one of world football’s strongest sides.
The African team have included several key players in their squad for the trip, with the coaching staff keen to assess combinations and build cohesion within the group.
In attack, Evan Wahi is expected to lead the line after recently joining up with the squad later than his teammates, having stayed with OGC Nice during a crucial period in their season.
Defensively, RC Strasbourg Alsace right-back Guéla Doué is expected to feature, providing width and defensive stability.
Diomandé, who has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, is also expected to play an important role in the attacking setup.
Evann Guessand and Simon Adingra are both likely to start on the bench, offering further attacking options for the coaching staff during the match.
The meeting between the two sides comes at a time when both teams are stepping up their preparations for major international commitments, with the friendly offering valuable insight into squad depth and tactical readiness.
France, meanwhile, enter the fixture in strong form. They are unbeaten in their last nine matches, recording eight wins and one draw.
Their recent victories over Colombia and Brazil have further strengthened confidence within the squad.
Across their last six matches, Les Bleus have scored 17 goals and conceded five, highlighting their attacking strength and consistency in front of goal.
All of those matches produced more than 2.5 goals, reflecting their offensive approach.
At home, France have also been dominant, winning four consecutive matches on home soil while scoring at least twice in each game.
For Ivory Coast, however, the focus remains on the value of the encounter itself, not just the result, but the experience of testing themselves against elite opposition in a respectful and high-level international environment.
The warm pre-match meeting in Nantes has already set the tone for a fixture built on mutual respect, sporting ambition, and World Cup preparation.
