Northern Ireland national football team will face France national football team in a high-profile friendly as part of preparations ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
The match is scheduled for 8 June at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, offering Northern Ireland a chance to test themselves against one of the strongest sides in international football.
Managed by Michael O’Neill, Northern Ireland come into the fixture after narrowly missing out on World Cup qualification, having been eliminated by Italy in the play-off semi-finals. A recent 1-1 draw with Wales followed, but the clash with France represents a significant step up in competition.
France, two-time world champions, are preparing for another title push after falling short in the previous tournament. Coached by Didier Deschamps, Les Bleus head into the World Cup among the favourites despite a recent injury setback to Hugo Ekitike.
The friendly will also serve as part of France’s final preparations before their group-stage matches against Senegal, Iraq and Norway.
For Northern Ireland, it is a rare opportunity to measure themselves against elite opposition and build momentum heading into future competitions.