Colombia vs France
They are all set for the summer showpiece – their places in Group K and Group I, respectively, long assured – so you can imagine this International Friendly in Landover may well be a fairly relaxed affair.
However, while the stakes will be much higher in the States (Colombia’s opponents include Portugal, while France will meet Senegal and Norway) in three months, there is still scope for International Friendly 2026 highlights.
That’s because the last few places in the respective squads of Nestor Lorenzo and Didier Deschamps could well be up for grabs.
Talking Points
There is certainly no shortage of big names to get excited about.
In the yellow corner, there is Bayern Munich hitman Luis Diaz; in the blue corner, the plethora of stars is led by captain Kylian Mbappe.
Friendly or not, and my views on such encounters at this time of year are well known, don’t tell me you’re not a little bit excited.
This will be the third international match-up in North America in a matter of days as nations prepare for the World Cup in the States in more ways than one.
Colombia, who lost to defending world champions Argentina in the 2024 Copa America final, were beaten 2-1 by Croatia last time out in a match played in Orlando. Jhon Arias had given Lorenzo’s men an early lead before the Croats fought back to win.
The result was of secondary importance as the South Americans saw their 12-month unbeaten streak finally come to an end.
As a reminder, Colombia finished third in CONMEBOL qualifying for the World Cup, where they will kick off the group phase against tournament debutants Uzbekistan.
France were also in action in the US this week as they edged out heavyweights Brazil in another friendly.
Played at the Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass, it was a game in which Mbappe was on target, along with Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike in a 2-1 success.
If Les Blues are led by the best player on planet football at the last World Cup, it should also be noted they have an abundance of talent in their ranks, including Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, world footballer of the year Ousmane Dembele and Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki.
One more goal will actually draw Mbappe level with Olivier Giroud as his country’s all-time leading scorer but, whether it comes this weekend or not, it is surely only a matter of time.
They strolled through qualifying last autumn, finishing off their Group D campaign with a 4-0 defeat of Ukraine and a 3-1 victory over Azerbaijan.
Jules Kounde, PSG winger Bradley and centre back William Saliba are among their men absent through injury.
For the South Americans, captain James Rodriguez – top scorer at the 2014 World Cup – is in line for his 124th international cap, drawing within five of David Ospina’s record.
Experienced defender Yerry Mina and itinerant striker Jhon Duran are notable absentees, but Lorenzo can call upon Sporting Lisbon’s Luis Suarez alongside Diaz to form a potentially potent attack.
History
The nations have only met four times in history, and France have won three of the games, although Colombia tasted victory in the most recent. That was in March 2018 in Paris when they embarked on a superb comeback. After falling two goals behind within 26 minutes to Giroud and Thomas Lemar, Colombia hit back quickly through Luis Muriel. Radamel Falcao equalised just after the hour mark, before a Juan Quintero penalty five minutes from time settled the contest in favour of the visitors.
It was also a spot-kick which settled their previous meeting, in 2008, when Franck Ribery netted the only goal of the game, again in Paris.
Thierry Henry scored the winner, also from the penalty spot, in a Confederations Cup clash in June 2003, while they locked horns for the very first time in June 1972 in Salvador.
Charly Loubet scored the winner that day, one of a brace, to earn France a 3-2 victory.
That was in an Independence competition, with respect to that and the Confederations Cup, it means all of their meetings so far have effectively been friendlies.
At the time of writing, the SBOTOP International Friendly 2026 betting odds are still to be posted.
But don’t forget to take a closer look ahead of what should be a compelling encounter, a chance for fringe players to shine, and where we may learn some clues as to what both countries will deliver this summer as they aim to be at the sharp end.
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