France Beats Northern Ireland 3-1 in World Cup Warm-Up

Michael Olise scored a hat-trick as France defeated Northern Ireland 3-1 in an international friendly on June 8, 2026. The match took place at the stadium in Lille with the roof closed on a chilly and damp evening in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, northern France. Olise scored the first goal just before halftime and the second just after the break.

He completed the hat-trick, the first of his career, in the 74th minute by curling in a left-foot shot from outside the area. Patrick Kelly scored Northern Ireland's only goal in the 64th minute. Play was stopped for drinks breaks in the middle of each half to help the players prepare for World Cup conditions.

Cup opener is scheduled for June 16 against Senegal at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. France will also face Iraq in Philadelphia and Norway in Foxborough outside Boston in Group I. The team leaves for its training base near Boston on June 11, 2026.

France rested two players for the previous friendly against Côte d'Ivoire after they won the Champions League. William Saliba returned to the team after his club lost in the Champions League final. France lost that earlier friendly to Côte d'Ivoire. Michael Olise plays for Bayern Munich. Kylian Mbappé plays for Real Madrid.

“Michael stands out because of the season he has had at Bayern and with us. He has achieved some really great things, he is full of confidence.”