Olise nets three goals as France triumph over Northern Ireland in warm-up match ahead of World Cup

On June 8, 2026, France's forward #11 Michael Olise celebrated scoring his team's second goal with teammates during the international friendly football match between France and Northern Ireland at the Decathlon Arena – Pierre Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, northern France, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup football tournament.

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Michael Olise stood out in a star-studded France attack, scoring a hat-trick in a 3-1 World Cup warm-up win over Northern Ireland in Lille on Monday.

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Olise, who plays for Bayern Munich, was joined in a formidable front four by Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe, Desire Doue, and Ousmane Dembele, forming a powerful attacking lineup for France.

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The Paris Saint-Germain pair of Doue and Dembele had been rested for the previous friendly, a loss to Ivory Coast, after winning the Champions League, and were back in action for this match.

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Another Champions League finalist, William Saliba of Arsenal, also returned to the lineup, giving France a look similar to how they could line up for their World Cup opener against Senegal in New Jersey on June 16.

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Despite their attacking prowess, the French team was frequently disjointed, with skipper Mbappe, who needs one goal to equal Olivier Giroud’s team scoring record, often lacking his usual energy and enthusiasm.

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However, France still managed to press the packed Northern Irish defence, forcing desperate blocks and loose clearances, and creating scoring opportunities.

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Olise, who was sharp throughout the night, was well-positioned to drill home rebounds just before and just after half time, taking advantage of the scoring chances.

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Patrick Kelly of English third-tier club Barnsley scored a rare goal for Northern Ireland after 64 minutes, but Olise sealed the win for France with a flourish ten minutes later, curling in a left-foot shot from outside the area.

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The match was played with the Lille stadium roof closed on a chilly and damp evening in northern France, and play was stopped for drinks breaks in the middle of each half to help Les Bleus prepare for the World Cup.

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France, who will leave for their training base near Boston on Wednesday, will also face Iraq in Philadelphia and Norway in Foxborough outside Boston in Group I as part of their World Cup preparations.