Michael Olise scores hat-trick as France prepares for World Cup 2026
Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise scored a hat-trick as France defeated Northern Ireland 3-1 in their final World Cup warm-up match on Monday. The 24-year-old, who has scored 22 goals for Bayern this season, outshone a star-studded attack including Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Désiré Doué. The performance reinforced Olise's status as a key threat for France heading into their World Cup opener against Senegal on June 16 in New Jersey.
France concluded their World Cup preparations with a 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland in Lille, with Michael Olise delivering the standout performance by netting a hat-trick. The Bayern Munich winger scored twice inside the penalty area either side of half-time before curling a superb effort into the top corner from outside the box, taking his international tally to seven goals in 17 appearances. Coach Didier Deschamps praised Olise's confidence, work rate, and the exceptional season he has had at club level, where he has scored 42 goals in 107 games across two seasons at Bayern. By contrast, captain Kylian Mbappé was again below his best, having also failed to score in a 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast the previous Thursday; he needs two more goals to surpass Olivier Giroud's French scoring record. Arsenal defender William Saliba returned from an injury scare, giving France a clearer picture of their likely starting lineup. France depart for a training base near Boston on Wednesday and will face Senegal, Iraq, and Norway in Group I of the tournament.
How coverage differed
Al Jazeera noted France were 'frequently disjointed in attack' and described Mbappé as 'often lacklustre,' giving the team's overall display a more critical tone. France 24 framed the result more positively, focusing on Olise as an 'ominous warning' to World Cup rivals and providing deeper background on his career trajectory and personality.
What different sources said
- France 24Center
Olise hat-trick rounds off France’s World Cup preparations, sends ominous warning
- Al JazeeraLeft
Deschamps backs hat-trick hero Olise to shine for France at World Cup
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