France Stunned by Ivory Coast, Spain Held by Iraq in World Cup Warmups

Last Updated on June 5, 2026

World Cup co-favourites France and Spain both endure flat warmup results — France falling 1-2 to Ivory Coast, Spain held 1-1 by Iraq — while Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert completes a remarkable comeback from knee surgery to secure his Netherlands World Cup spot.

France Fall to Ivory Coast, Spain Held by Iraq in World Cup Tune-Ups

Two of the World Cup’s most fancied nations suffer poor pre-tournament results on Thursday. France lose 1-2 to Ivory Coast in Nantes, while Spain are held 1-1 by Iraq in A Coruña — leaving both coaching staffs with real questions to answer before the tournament kicks off.

Rayan Cherki, the Manchester City attacker, opens France’s account with a low finish just before the break. After the interval — with Kylian Mbappé withdrawn — Ivory Coast turn the game around. Guéla Doué, brother of French international Désiré Doué who sits this one out, equalises, before Manchester United winger Amad Diallo settles it in the 84th minute. France’s opening World Cup match is against Senegal.

In A Coruña, Barcelona forward Ferran Torres puts Spain ahead early through a slick team move and a routine victory looks on the cards — but it never arrives. Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams both start on the bench, neither fully fit after recent injuries, with the pair targeting Spain’s World Cup opener against Cape Verde on 15 June. Iraq, coached by former NAC Breda player Graham Arnold, hold their shape and earn a deserved point through Merchas Doski, who curls a stunning left-footed effort past Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García from outside the penalty area. Iraq remain competitive to the final whistle despite heavy rotation from both sides.

Kluivert’s Emotional Comeback Earns Netherlands World Cup Spot

Justin Kluivert describes the past five months as a period of serious stress. The 27-year-old Bournemouth forward, capped 12 times for the Netherlands, suffers a knee injury against Arsenal in January that requires surgery and puts his first major tournament in serious jeopardy. "I’ve dreamed about the World Cup for so long. When that dream seemed to be falling apart, it gave me a lot of stress," Kluivert says upon landing in the United States with the squad.

Through the recovery, Kluivert sends personal messages to coach Ronald Koeman alongside the data flowing from the club’s medical staff. Koeman values the attacker’s energy and enthusiasm in return. When Kluivert finally returns for Bournemouth against Manchester City — clocking 14 minutes off the bench — he breaks down in tears at the final whistle, embraced by his father Patrick Kluivert, the former Netherlands top scorer. "All the stress from those months just came out," he says. A second stint of 17 minutes follows a week later.

Koeman calls Kluivert into Zeist before finalising his World Cup squad, watching the attacker’s movement and assessing his fitness first-hand. Satisfied, the coach confirms his selection. Against Algeria on Wednesday, Kluivert plays 45 minutes as an attacking midfielder behind Memphis Depay — looking sharp through his pace, direct dribbling and goal threat. "I feel good. I can feel there is even more in me," Kluivert says. The Netherlands’ two standout performances under Koeman’s second tenure have featured Kluivert as a number ten, most notably the Nations League wins over Spain in March last year. "We Dutchmen have to believe in the biggest prize and dare to say it: we want to become world champions," he adds. The Netherlands open against Japan in Dallas on 14 June.

Gyökeres Returns for Sweden but Greece Steal Late Draw in Solna

Sweden’s World Cup preparations suffer another setback as Greece claim a 2-2 draw in the 96th minute in Solna, denying the Swedes a morale-lifting result with under two weeks to go. Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres returns to the starting line-up alongside Alexander Isak after sitting out Monday’s 3-1 defeat to Norway — he had been given extra rest following the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Greece dominate the first half. Christos Tzolis sets up Kostas Tsimikas to open the scoring, and Dimitrios Kourbelis rattles the crossbar before half-time. After the break, Gyökeres levels from a free kick, the ball deflecting in off Greek captain Vangelis Pavlidis’ elbow. Once Gyökeres and Isak are replaced, Club Brugge forward Gustaf Nilsson gives Sweden the lead — but Giorgos Masouras slides in the equaliser in the sixth minute of stoppage time to give Greece a deserved point. Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet had written after the Norway defeat that Sweden can be glad the first World Cup match is still two weeks away. Sweden face Tunisia in Guadalupe, Mexico on 14 June before meeting the Netherlands in Houston on 20 June.

Frankfurt’s Brown Attracts Bayern Munich Interest Ahead of World Cup

Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown heads into the World Cup amid reported interest from Bayern Munich and growing recognition within the German national squad. The Germany international has earned the full trust of the DFB coaching staff through consistent Bundesliga performances and faces an intriguing personal subplot — competing for his World Cup position against his own personal adviser who is also in the squad. Reports in German media indicate Bayern Munich are keen to move for Brown, a transfer that would represent the most significant step yet in his club career.

Also in the News

Alexander Blessin, 53, and Bundesliga relegated side St. Pauli part ways after two years together. The club and coach fail to reach agreement on continued cooperation following the club’s drop out of the top flight.

Ofte stillede spørgsmål