World Cup group C: France vs. Peru team news, kick-off time and TV channel
Olivier Giroud and Blaise Matuidi could start for Les Bleus
France vs. Peru
- When: Thursday 21 June
- Kick-off time: 4pm
- Where: Ekaterinburg Arena, Ekaterinburg
- TV channel: live on ITV
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud and Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi are set to start for France in their group C clash against Peru in Ekaterinburg.
According to ESPN France head coach Didier Deschamps used Giroud and Matuidi in a behind-closed-doors training session. The duo came on as substitutes in the 2-1 victory against Australia on Saturday and will replace Ousmane Dembele and Corentin Tolisso, who will drop to the bench.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Deschamps may also choose a different formation, 4-4-2, with Kylian Mbappe starting in midfield and Giroud up front with Antoine Griezmann.
Peru captain Paolo Guerrero could also earn a recall, says the BBC, after starting on the bench for the 2-1 loss against Denmark. Guerrero, Peru’s all-time leading scorer, recently returned to football after a 14-month drug ban was overturned.
France vs. Peru predicted starting XIs
How the teams could line up at the Ekaterinburg Arena, according to Fifa.com:
- France (4-4-2): Hugo Lloris; Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane, Samuel Umtiti, Lucas Hernandez; Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Blaise Matuidi, Kylian Mbappe; Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud
- Peru (4-3-3): Pedro Gallese; Luis Advincula, Christian Ramos, Alberto Rodriguez, Miguel Trauco; Andre Carrillo, Pedro Aquino, Yoshimar Yotun; Edison Flores, Jefferson Farfan, Paolo Guerrero
Group C results, fixtures and TV channels
- France 2 Australia 1
- Peru 0 Denmark 1
- 21 June: Denmark vs. Australia (1pm, ITV); France vs. Peru (4pm, ITV)
- 26 June: Denmark vs. France (3pm, ITV); Australia vs. Peru (3pm, ITV4)
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup: glitz, glamour and 'grimly inevitable'
Talking Point Critics claim country is guilty of sportswashing as it stands unopposed to host tournament
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
Fifa World Cup 2026 expansion: for the global game or for Fifa’s greed?
Talking Point The men’s tournament co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the USA will have a record 104 matches
By Mike Starling Published
-
The biggest sports scandals of the 21st century
In Depth Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods and football’s governing body have all shocked the world
By The Week Staff Published
-
Qatar 2022: a tainted World Cup?
Talking Point The most controversial Fifa World Cup yet is ready for kick-off
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
UK plans to expel spies from hostile states amid Russia-Czech explosion row
Why Everyone’s Talking About Proposed foreign agent registration scheme will crack down on Russian and Chinese activities
By Sorcha Bradley Last updated
-
Zlatan vs. EA Sports: image rights row breaks out over Fifa video game
Speed Read Milan striker and Spurs star Gareth Bale call for an investigation
By Mike Starling Published
-
European Premier League: radical breakaway plot is revealed
Speed Read Liverpool and Man Utd are reportedly in talks to join new Fifa-backed tournament
By Mike Starling Published
-
Premier League 2020-21 predictions and odds: champions, top four, relegation
The Week Recommends A look at what the football media has to say ahead of the new season
By Mike Starling Published