The French team had planned an internship in Doha for this unusual international window without an official match, to test the waters against high-calibre opponents (the teams from Portugal, Italy and Argentina were considered for a time), but the project fell through.

Preparation for the World Cup, scheduled for November and December in the Arabian Peninsula, therefore begins on the shores of the Mediterranean, in a Velodrome stadium where more than 65,000 spectators are expected six years after the last visit of the Blues, in half- Euro-2016 final on a day when Antoine Griezmann knocked out Germany (2-0) with a double.

The reception of the Ivorians must serve to "progress, improve our collective, our automatisms", affirms Jules Koundé, who has become a starter in defense.

"For me, friendly matches don't exist. I only see a team against which we will play, that we will do everything to beat", assures AFP the Sevilla FC player.

ENT infection for Mbappé

Côte d'Ivoire, not qualified for the 2022 World Cup, will measure themselves against a private group of course from Benzema, who remained in Spain to treat his left calf, and perhaps from Mbappé, weakened by an "ENT infection", but she remains on her guard.

"There will be a few absentees, notably Karim Benzema, but France have such reservations that if it's not one, it's the other," said French 'Elephants' coach Patrice Beaumelle.

"It may be the best in the world in the attacking aspects, so we will have to be careful," he noted.

His counterpart Didier Deschamps will have to recompose an attack line usually occupied by the irremovable trio formed by Griezmann, Benzema and Mbappé.

Recalled for the first time since the Euro, Giroud is applying for a starting place, but competition from Wissam Ben Yedder and novice Christopher Nkunku is blocking his horizons.

Blues star striker Kylian Mbappé in training at the Clairefontaine center, March 22, 2022 FRANCK FIFE AFP

"I said he would have playing time, that does not mean that he will necessarily start in both matches. I will make sure to involve as many players as possible, to see them in action", replied "DD" Thursday, claiming not to want to make a "special case" around AC Milan's N.9.

Nkunku, the Leipzig striker (24) in the rush, is one of the three newcomers to the France group, with OM central defender William Saliba and Lens right-back Jonathan Clauss.

Clauss, "stars" in the eyes

At 29, the Blood and Gold is living a waking dream by rubbing shoulders for the first time under the tricolor tunic with stars Hugo Lloris, Raphaël Varane, Paul Pogba and Kingsley Coman.

In November 2016, when the Blues faced Côte d'Ivoire (0-0) in a friendly match in Lens, the native of Strasbourg wore the jersey ... of Avranches, in the third division, without a professional contract.

"Jonathan's journey commands respect and shows that there is no single way to arrive in the France team when you give yourself the means, that you are mentally ready to never give up. “, commented Lloris on Thursday.

"It's true that there are a lot of stars in his eyes, you can feel a lot of excitement in him," he smiled.

The neophyte Jonathan Clauss (foreground) in the fight with another newcomer Christopher Nkunku at the training of the Blues in Clairefontaine, March 22, 2022 FRANCK FIFE AFP / Archives

If the presence of Clauss at the kick-off seems unlikely, that of N'Golo Kanté is impossible.

The Chelsea midfielder, who was absent on Tuesday for family reasons, will only be available against South Africa on Tuesday in Lille.

Adrien Rabiot and Aurélien Tchouaméni are neck and neck to take the place usually occupied by "NG" alongside Paul Pogba.

In defense, Koundé, Varane and Lucas Hernandez start from pole position.

Presnel Kimpembe, weakened by bronchitis this week, "is better" and is ready, according to Deschamps.

© 2022 AFP