Before flying to the United States on June 9 to begin their World Cup campaign against Senegal on June 16, France’s national team under Didier Deschamps will test themselves in friendly matches against Côte d’Ivoire in Nantes this Thursday and Northern Ireland in Lille on June 8. These two fixtures follow a long-standing tradition in the history of the French national side. Let’s look back at ten warm-up encounters that left their mark on Les Bleus.

the heartbreak of cissé and zidane’s miss

France vs China, June 7, 2006

The scene was devastating. At Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, Djibril Cissé, making his first start under Raymond Domenech, was tripped by Chinese captain Zheng Zhi on his very first touch. As he landed, his right leg twisted unnaturally—double fracture of the tibia and fibula, reminiscent of an injury he suffered in November 2004 with Liverpool against Blackburn.

That same day, Zinedine Zidane missed the only penalty of his international career… though he would go on to score two more in the tournament’s knockout stages against Portugal (1-0 in the semifinals) and Italy, his seventh and final goal in the final via a cheeky panenka (1-1, 4-3 on penalties).

Final tournament result: runners-up

broken wings and torn thighs

South Korea vs France: 2-3, May 26, 2002

Just eleven days before France’s opening match, Zinedine Zidane had delivered a stunning volley to win the Champions League with Real Madrid against Bayer Leverkusen (2-1). A rare day off to celebrate the birth of his second child, and he was back with the national team in Ibusuki, Japan.

Against South Korea in Suwon, exhausted from his Champions League exertions, Zidane pulled up with a tear in his left thigh. That injury dominated headlines as France prepared for their World Cup opener. Perhaps they should have focused more on Senegal. It marked the beginning of the end for Roger Lemerre’s team.

Final tournament result: group-stage elimination

the assassin in number 21

Finland vs France: 0-1, June 5, 1998

A cold reception awaited Aimé Jacquet’s France in Helsinki, despite David Trezeguet’s goal. After missing a chance, Christophe Dugarry was dubbed ‘the assassin’ by commentator Jean-Michel Larqué on live TV. Offended, the squad refused to appear on Téléfoot the next day. A week later, Stéphane Guivarc’h—who had scored 47 goals across all competitions that season but just one for France—started against South Africa. However, it was Dugarry, wearing the number 21 shirt, who would go on to score.

Final tournament result: world champions

a three-part farce

France vs Guatemala: 8-1, May 21, 1986

In Tlaxcala, Mexico, at an altitude of 2,230 meters, Henri Michel was furious that the unofficial training match against Guatemala was being televised—commentated by Eugène Saccomano and Marius Trésor on La Cinq. He split the game into three 33-minute periods (98 minutes total). Played on a bumpy pitch in red shirts, the kickoff was at 12:15 PM. Jean Tigana protested, calling it ‘a high-level advertising stunt forcing us to play at noon.’ The French demanded a share of broadcast rights.

Final tournament result: third place

boycotts and jeers in 1978

France vs Tunisia: 2-0, May 19, 1978

A week after Michel Hidalgo announced his 22-man squad—excluding Albert Gemmrich, who had scored against Iran the day before (2-1)—France hosted Tunisia in Villeneuve-d’Ascq. Beneath the scoreboard, a banner called for a boycott of the World Cup: ‘Argentina 1978: no football between concentration camps.’

In the first half (0-0), France struggled to find rhythm. Tunisian fans taunted: ‘Help! Platini, help us!’ The Nancy playmaker, rested after winning the Coupe de France, came on at halftime and broke the deadlock. France went on to win 2-0.

Final tournament result: group-stage elimination

the final warm-up in scotland

Selkirk vs France: 2-11, July 7, 1966

To prepare for England’s World Cup, France faced very modest Scottish sides to boost their attackers’ confidence. After beating Gala Fairydean Rovers (8-1) and Vale of Leithen (8-0), they met Selkirk in three 30-minute periods. But Lucien Muller withdrew, claiming his exclusion was premeditated. Henri Guérin praised the squad’s ‘fantastic spirit.’

Final tournament result: group-stage elimination

just fontaine’s breakthrough

Narke vs France: 0-12, May 25, 1958

Without Raymond Kopa—released by Real Madrid four days later—France, managed by Paul Nicolas and coached by Albert Batteux, dismantled a third- and fourth-division selection from Narke, Sweden. Just Fontaine, who had scored in only two of his five prior matches for France (4 goals total), netted four times. A week later, he repeated the feat against a ‘stronger’ Narke selection (12-0). Meanwhile, René Bliard, Fontaine’s rival for a starting berth, suffered a serious injury. The legend of the World Cup’s all-time top scorer (13 goals) was born.

Final tournament result: third place

a squad of reserves

Belgium vs France: 3-3, May 30, 1954

A month before the tournament in Switzerland, manager Gaston Barreau reshuffled his team, benching five key players including René Vignal, Joseph Ujlaki, and Roger Piantoni. At the Heysel, he fielded an experimental lineup—seven of whom would play in the World Cup—while a France B team (six would play in the tournament) faced Spain (0-2). The move undermined cohesion.

Final tournament result: group-stage elimination