According to Fabrizio Romano, Kylian Mbappe was asked what would happen if France were to face Argentina again and repeat that legendary 2022 final against Lionel Messi, responding, “We will be determined and hungry to win, as always.”

“We are here to make history. We are yet to do it. We want this World Cup.” France arrive as one of the top candidates due to the sheer quality of the players they are bringing to the tournament, especially among their forwards, while Argentina also remain at their absolute best on the South American side.

The rivalry of Messi and Mbappe

Beyond the encounters they have had between the final and the 2018 round of 16, which basically leaves their head-to-head record tied at 1-1 on the international stage, the heavy weight remains that Argentina defeated them in the most important match of all. Furthermore, they share the spotlight and compete directly on the list of all-time World Cup goal scorers:

World Cup all-time goal scorers

1. 16, Miroslav Klose (Germany)
2. 15, Ronaldo Nazario (Brazil)
3. 13, Lionel Messi (Argentina)
4. 12, Kylian Mbappe (France)
5. 11, Jurgen Klinsmann (Germany)
6. 10, Helmut Rahn (Germany)

Just three goals separate Messi and Mbappe, with Mbappe needing five, from equalizing soccer’s most coveted World Cup scoring record. At 39, Messi enters the tournament with 13 World Cup goals and needs four more to surpass Klose outright.

Mbappe, meanwhile, has already scored 12 World Cup goals despite playing in only two editions of the tournament. The French superstar needs five goals to claim the record for himself.

The only stage where Argentina vs France would cross paths

The design of the definitive bracket for the final phase of the 2026 World Cup establishes a strict pairing scheme. According to the organization of the brackets, if they advance from their respective groups, whether qualifying as leaders or as runners-up of their zones, Argentina and France will be placed on opposite sides of the knockout stage structure. This distribution mathematically prevents them from crossing paths in the round of 32, round of 16, quarterfinals, or semifinals.

Due to this separation on opposite sides of the bracket, the only stage of the tournament in which the squads of Argentina and France could face each other is a hypothetical final, thereby replicating the iconic deciding match played in Qatar 2022. For fans to witness this clash once again, both countries must successfully overcome each of the previous rounds on their respective sides of the bracket until reaching the pinnacle match for the world title.

That exact scenario will be the case for eight distinct pairs of siblings at the 2026 World Cup. The way of the modern soccer world means that four sets of brothers currently play for different squads and could go up against one another at some point during the grueling tournament, although none of them will do so during the initial group stage.

This is the list of brothers playing for different squads:

• Inaki Williams and Nico Williams, who play for Ghana and Spain, respectively
• Desire Doue and Guela Doue, who represent France and Ivory Coast, respectively
• John Souttar and Harry Souttar, playing for Scotland and Australia, respectively
• Derrick Luckassen and Brian Brobbey, who represent Ghana and Netherlands, respectively

A potential family reunion in the knockout rounds

If France and Ivory Coast both finish as the respective runners-up in Group I and Group E, there will be an immediate meeting of the Doue brothers in the round of 32. This particular scenario represents the most obvious and direct route to a sibling-on-sibling matchup during the high-stakes knockout stages of the competition.

Since 32 of the 48 participating squads successfully progress from the opening group stage, there are numerous mathematical possibilities for even more family showdowns later in the bracket. These potential matchups would undoubtedly add an extra layer of personal drama and intrigue to what are already incredibly high-stakes soccer clashes.

The brothers who represent a single nation

Among the brothers who are set to make history by representing a single country are Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber and his twin brother Quinten Timber. Quinten Timber currently plays as a talented midfielder for French club Marseille, and both siblings are proudly included in the Netherlands squad, though there are even more Dutch family connections to note.

Laros Duarte and his younger brother Deroy Duarte were both originally born in the Netherlands, but could potentially team up together in the midfield for Cape Verde. This family duo adds significant strength to the African squad, who is currently making its historic maiden World Cup appearance on the global stage.

The same situation goes for former Aston Villa right back Leandro Bacuna, who stands as Curacao’s most-capped player in history, and Juninho Bacuna, who previously played for Villa’s bitter rivals Birmingham City. The Bacuna brothers are also completely Dutch-born, but officially declared their international allegiance to Curacao several years ago.

Kylian Mbappe and company took care of business against a resilient Northern Ireland squad that narrowly missed out on qualification for this World Cup. Despite the defeat, the Green and White Army used this high-profile clash as a valuable testing ground to evaluate fresh talent and build a foundation as they shift their focus toward the 2030 cycle.

How to watch France vs Northern Ireland in the USA

Fans will have several ways to follow this highly anticipated showdown. Coverage will air live on FS2, while streaming options include Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, and ViX.

No matter which platform they choose, viewers can watch every key sequence, game-changing swing, and thrilling conclusion unfold live from start to finish as the action plays out.

Can I watch France vs Northern Ireland for free?

Fans in the United States can catch this marquee showdown live through Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and Hulu + Live TV, each providing access to the network airing the match across the country.

First-time subscribers can also stream without paying upfront by using available free trial offers, including five days from Fubo and DirecTV Stream and a three-day trial from Hulu + Live TV.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

France continues its World Cup buildup with a friendly against Northern Ireland, using the match as another chance to sharpen a squad led by Kylian Mbappe.

After winning the 2018 World Cup and finishing runner-up in 2022, Les Bleus remain among the favorites to lift the trophy once again.

Northern Ireland, meanwhile, will look to test itself against one of Europe’s top national teams as it works toward a future return to the world’s biggest stage. With both sides looking to gain valuable momentum, this is a matchup soccer fans won’t want to miss.

France vs Northern Ireland: Predicted Lineups

France (4-1-4-1): Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Upamecano, Hernandez; Tchouameni: Olise, Cherki, Rabiot, Thuram; Mbappe.

Northern Ireland (3-4-3): Charles; Hume, McConville, Brown; Smyth, McDonnell, Charles, Devenny; Morrison, Price, Donley.

What time is the France vs Northern Ireland match?

The match kicks off today, June 8, at 3:10 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 3:10 PM
Central Time: 2:10 AM
Mountain Time: 1:10 PM
Pacific Time: 12:10 PM

New York Stadium hosts a total of eight matches throughout the World Cup tournament, a number that is one less than Dallas, the venue slated to hold the most matchups. However, the local venue secures the ultimate privilege of staging the most important game of all, which is none other than the final.

These are the matches that will be played in New York:

Group Stage

• Saturday, June 13, 2026: Brazil vs. Morocco, Group C
• Tuesday, June 16, 2026: France vs. Senegal, Group I
• Monday, June 22, 2026: Norway vs. Senegal, Group I
• Thursday, June 25, 2026: Ecuador vs. Germany, Group E
• Saturday, June 27, 2026: Panama vs. England, Group L

Round of 32

• Tuesday, June 30, 2026: Match 77, 1I vs 3 C, D, F, G, H

Round of 16

• Sunday, July 5, 2026: Match 91, G76 vs G78

World Cup 2026 Final

• Sunday, July 19, 2026: Match 104, G101 vs G102

New York joins history with other cities

This location represents the largest city in the United States, and although it hosted several matches during the 1994 World Cup, the final back then was awarded by FIFA to Los Angeles and Pasadena. Because of this historical background, the decision to host the tournament culmination remains completely logical for the 2026 World Cup in New York.

New York joins an elite list of major global metropolises such as Johannesburg, Mexico City, Rome, Berlin, Moscow, and Rio de Janeiro. These prominent locations stand out across the planet as iconic cities that have previously hosted the prestigious final of the World Cup.

The stadium that will be the venue

MetLife Stadium is a multipurpose venue that originally opened in 2010, and it currently hosts the New York Giants and the New York Jets of the NFL, as well as the New York Guardians of the XFL. Furthermore, the iconic facility served as the exact stage for the 2016 Copa America Centenario final, a memorable match in which Chile defeated the Argentina squad led by Lionel Messi in a dramatic penalty shootout.

This venue served as the setting for the conclusion of the 2025 Club World Cup, an event where soccer fans from all over the globe witnessed a thrilling 3-0 victory by Chelsea over PSG. In addition to that final match, the stadium previously hosted the tournament semifinals, a single quarterfinal matchup, and five distinct fixtures during the group stage.

France will play on Group I of the 2026 World Cup against Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. This is one of the best groups in the tournament in terms of level of play. Now, it’s time to focus more than ever given how bad Didier Deschamp’s men looked in the second half. In fact, only Rayan Cherki can be saved.

Ivory Coast will battle against Ecuador, Germany, and Curaçao on Group E of the 2026 World Cup. It’s a very tough group, but this win is a huge morale boost for this team. It’s also a warning for their group rivals. If you take Ivory Coast lightly, you can get shocked.

How to watch France vs Ivory Coast in the USA

Soccer fans across the United States can watch this much-anticipated showdown live on FOX Soccer Plus.

Those who prefer streaming can follow the action through Fubo and ViX, both providing convenient access to the match from start to finish.

Can I watch France vs Ivory Coast for free?

Viewers in the United States will be able to watch this highly anticipated matchup live on Fubo, which provides streaming access to the channel broadcasting the game nationwide.

While Fubo regularly includes a five-day free trial for new users, that promotion is not available for this broadcast, so there is no free live-streaming option in the USA.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

France enters the 2026 World Cup once again among the favorites to lift the trophy after reaching the final in each of the last two editions, winning one title and finishing as runners-up in the other, powered by a star-studded roster headlined by Kylian Mbappe.

This time, Les Bleus are looking to build momentum and sharpen their form against a battle-tested Ivory Coast side. The Elephants arrive following an impressive African qualifying campaign and are widely viewed as a potential surprise team capable of making noise on the global stage.

With both nations eager to measure themselves against elite competition, this matchup offers a valuable early test and an intriguing preview of what could be ahead in the tournament.

France vs Ivory Coast: Predicted Lineups

France (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Koundé, Konaté, Upamecano, T. Hernández; Tchouaméni, Camavinga; Dembélé, Olise, Mbappé; Thuram.

Ivory Coast (4-3-3): Lafont; Singo, Diomande, Agbadou, Konan; Kessié, Sangaré, S. Fofana; Pépé, Wahi, Adingra.

What time is the France vs Ivory Coast match?

The match kicks off today, June 4, at 3:00 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 3:00 PM
Central Time: 2:00 PM
Mountain Time: 1:00 PM
Pacific Time: 12:00 PM

The France and Argentina head coaches enter the competition after leading their nations to World Cup glory in 2018 and 2022 respectively, giving the expanded tournament two reigning championship-winning managers on the sidelines.

Deschamps has already secured his place among the greatest coaches after becoming one of only three men in history to win the World Cup both as a player and as a manager. Meanwhile, Scaloni completed a remarkable rises in soccer.

How many World Cups has Didier Deschamps won?

Didier Deschamps has won one FIFA World Cup as a manager and one as a player. The France head coach lifted the trophy as captain of Les Bleus in 1998 and later guided France to the 2018 FIFA World Cup title in Russia.

That achievement placed him in one of the most exclusive groups in soccer history. He became only the third man ever to win the World Cup both as a player and as a manager, joining Brazil’s Mario Zagallo and Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer.

Since taking over France in 2012, he has built one of the most successful eras in the country’s history. Under his leadership, France reached:

• The 2014 World Cup quarterfinals
• The Euro 2016 final
• The 2018 World Cup title
• The 2022 World Cup final

France narrowly missed a second consecutive championship in Qatar after losing to Argentina on penalties in one of the most dramatic finals ever played. The 2026 edition is expected to be his final World Cup before stepping down.

How many World Cups has Lionel Scaloni won?

Lionel Scaloni has won one FIFA World Cup as a manager. The Argentina head coach led La Albiceleste to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title in Qatar after defeating France in the final. His triumph completed one of the most remarkable managerial rises.

When he first took over Argentina in 2018, many fans and analysts questioned the decision because he had almost no senior coaching experience. Four years later, he delivered Argentina’s first World Cup title since Diego Maradona’s team won in 1986.

His Argentina cycle quickly became historic. Before winning the World Cup, Scaloni also guided the national team to:

• The 2021 Copa America title
• The 2022 Finalissima title against Italy
• A long unbeaten streak that restored confidence around the national team

ESPN described Argentina’s World Cup triumph as the third major title won by his squad within just a year and a half. Now entering the 2026 World Cup, he has the opportunity to achieve something no manager has accomplished since 1938.

Has any coach ever won back-to-back FIFA World Cups?

Yes, only one coach in soccer history has ever won back-to-back FIFA World Cups: Vittorio Pozzo with Italy in 1934 and 1938. The legendary Italian manager remains the only coach to successfully defend a World Cup title.

His Italy dominated international soccer during the 1930s. FIFA notes that he won eight of his nine World Cup matches across the 1934 and 1938 tournaments, building one of the greatest dynasties in the sport’s history.

Many iconic coaches have come close to matching the feat, including:

• Didier Deschamps (France runner-up in 2022 after winning in 2018)
• Carlos Bilardo (Argentina finalist in 1990 after winning in 1986)
• Franz Beckenbauer (Germany semifinalist in 1990 after winning in 1986)

Despite multiple attempts across nearly a century of World Cup history, his record still stands alone. That is why Lionel Scaloni’s 2026 campaign has generated so much attention.

Can Lionel Scaloni defend Argentina’s World Cup title in 2026?

Yes, Lionel Scaloni has the opportunity to defend Argentina’s FIFA World Cup title in 2026 and potentially make history. Argentina enters the tournament as the reigning world champion after winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Argentina remains one of the favorites heading into the tournament thanks to a core group that still includes stars such as Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister.

His leadership has transformed Argentina into one of the most consistent national teams. Many fans and analysts now consider the reigning champions among the strongest contenders to reach another final in North America.

Who was the last coach to win consecutive World Cups?

Vittorio Pozzo was the last coach to win consecutive FIFA World Cups. The Italian manager guided Italy to back-to-back titles in 1934 and 1938, a feat no other coach has matched since.

His dominance helped establish Italy as the first great dynasty in international soccer. FIFA describes him as “The Old Master”, noting that he won nearly every World Cup match he coached across those two tournaments.

His achievement becomes even more remarkable considering how difficult the modern World Cup has become. Since Pozzo, several reigning champions failed to even return to the final:

• Germany (1994, 2018)
• Spain (2014)
• France (2022 runner-up after winning in 2018)

Now, Lionel Scaloni has a chance to challenge one of the oldest records in World Cup history. If Argentina wins again in 2026, the Argentine coach would finally end an 88-year streak without a repeat World Cup-winning manager.

The list represents a significant overhaul compared to the previous World Cup. Several stalwarts have retired from international duty, including Antoine Griezmann, Hugo Lloris, and Olivier Giroud, while Steve Mandanda and Raphael Varane have retired from professional soccer altogether.

The remaining nine players from the previous squad were left out due to tactical decisions by Deschamps. The manager opted to omit Alphonse Areola, Axel Disasi, Benjamin Pavard, Jordan Veretout, Matteo Guendouzi, Youssouf Fofana, Eduardo Camavinga, Kingsley Coman, and Randal Kolo Muani.

Without a doubt, the Real Madrid midfielder’s absence is one of the most notable. Deschamps explained that the decision to snub Camavinga was because he “is coming off a difficult season where he lacked consistency due to a string of injuries”.

France’s final roster

While many nations are currently submitting preliminary 55-man lists, Deschamps decided to move directly to the final 26-player squad that will travel to North America.

Led by Mbappe, here is the official France roster for the 2026 World Cup:

Goalkeepers

• Mike Maignan | AC Milan
• Brice Samba | RC Lens
• Robin Risser | Strasbourg

Defenders

• Jules Kounde | FC Barcelona
• Malo Gusto | Chelsea
• Maxence Lacroix | Crystal Palace
• William Saliba | Arsenal
• Dayot Upamecano | Bayern Munich
• Ibrahima Konate | Liverpool
• Lucas Hernandez | PSG
• Theo Hernandez | Al-Hilal
• Lucas Digne | Aston Villa

Midfielders

• Aurelien Tchouameni | Real Madrid
• N’Golo Kante | Fenerbahçe
• Adrien Rabiot | AC Milan
• Manu Kone | AS Roma
• Warren Zaïre-Emery | PSG

Forwards

• Rayan Cherki | Manchester City
• Desire Doue | PSG
• Bradley Barcola | PSG
• Maghnes Akliouche | AS Monaco
• Ousmane Dembele | PSG
• Michael Olise | Bayern Munich
• Kylian Mbappe | PSG
• Marcus Thuram | Inter Milan
• Jean-Philippe Mateta | Crystal Palace

“Camavinga out of the World Cup squad? He is coming off a difficult season where he lacked consistency due to a string of injuries,” Deschamps told the media. “He is still young, but I have difficult choices to make and a specific structure required for this list.”

Camavinga isn’t the only familiar face missing from the 2022 runner-up squad, as Deschamps opted for a significant refresh. While the gaffer leaned on his established core, the team suffered a late blow with the loss of Hugo Ekitike, who was ruled out of the tournament after sustaining an injury just weeks ago.

France enter the North American circuit looking to reach a third consecutive World Cup final. After hoisting the trophy in Russia 2018 and falling just short in Qatar 2022—losing to Argentina in arguably the greatest match in the sport’s history—the expectations for this French side remain sky-high.

Camavinga’s grueling campaign

In analyzing Deschamps’ decision, the numbers tell the story of a frustrating year for Camavinga at the Santiago Bernabeu. Beyond Real Madrid’s rare trophyless season, the midfielder struggled to find a rhythm under Alvaro Arbeloa’s management, largely due to persistent fitness issues.

The primary factor behind the snub was Camavinga’s diminished role in La Liga. Plagued by a lingering ankle injury, he averaged just 55 minutes per appearance across 22 league games, managing only a single goal and one assist, output that ultimately wasn’t enough to secure his seat on the plane.

The new guard: Manu Kone gets the nod

While Camavinga is forced to watch the tournament from home, Inter Milan’s Manu Kone has emerged as the primary beneficiary of the roster shakeup. Kone forced Deschamps’ hand following a breakout season in Italy, where he tallied two goals and two assists across 40 appearances while providing a dominant defensive presence in the Inter midfield.

Despite the roster shifts, France remain a heavy favorite with Kylian Mbappe leading the charge alongside Ousmane Dembele. With Dembele entering the tournament as the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, France boast arguably the most lethal attacking duo in world football heading into the World Cup.

The March FIFA window was a massive success for Les Bleus. France faced two high-caliber opponents and emerged victorious in both, defeating Brazil and Colombia. These wins provided a significant points boost, allowing them to leapfrog both Spain and Argentina in the standings.

Conversely, Luis de la Fuente’s men saw their ranking suffer. While they gained 1.94 points from a dominant 3–0 win over Serbia, the subsequent stalemate against Egypt proved costly, resulting in a loss of 2.73 points and the loss of their throne.

Argentina also enjoyed a perfect record this window, but the caliber of their opposition limited their progress. Lionel Scaloni’s men gained only 0.63 points from a 2–1 victory over Mauritania and 0.86 points from a 5–0 thrashing of Zambia. The Albiceleste, who held the top spot for much of the post-World Cup era, now sit firmly in third.

How each star performed

Mbappe proved to be the catalyst for France’s climb to the top of the FIFA rankings. The Real Madrid forward was in world-class form during the 2–1 victory over Brazil at the Gillette Stadium, where he scored the opening goal and was named Man of the Match, leading Les Bleus through their toughest test of the window.

In Argentina, Messi continued to be the heartbeat of his team during their 5–0 rout of Zambia. The captain provided the assist for Julian Alvarez’s opener before finding the net himself for the second.

In a moment that captured the headlines, Messi waived his chance to score a second from the penalty spot, instead handing the ball to Nicolas Otamendi, allowing the veteran to score in his emotional final appearance for the national team on Argentine soil.

It was a more frustrated window for Yamal and Spain. The Barcelona starlet struggled to make an impact, failing to record a goal or an assist in the 3–0 win over Serbia or the disappointing draw against Egypt.

Beyond the pitch, Yamal made waves by calling out a section of the crowd following controversial chants during the game vs Egypt, marking a difficult end to a window that saw Spain lose their world No. 1 status.