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Northern Ireland will not be at the World Cup this summer, but they will have a high-profile test on Monday night when they face France in Lille, in a match that serves as the hosts’ farewell before they travel to the United States. France are expected to be strong favorites after a surprise defeat to Ivory Coast on Thursday, and they will head into the tournament as one of the competition’s leading contenders. In the World Cup, France are drawn in Group I alongside Senegal, Iraq and Norway.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill said it is “nice to be invited” to take part in such a fixture, but he made clear that his team will not simply play the role of a polite guest. He joked that his side may need to be “a badly-behaved guest” if they are to make life difficult for France, though he added that he has not even discussed that message with the players. His main focus is on ensuring Northern Ireland compete well against one of the world’s top teams and use the match as a valuable benchmark.

O’Neill said France’s plan for their send-off is not something his team intends to dwell on. Instead, he wants the match to be judged by the standard of the opposition and by the chance for his players to measure themselves against elite talent, both individually and as a group. For Northern Ireland, the game offers an important opportunity to test their level against a side with far greater depth, quality and international pedigree.

France, as the home nation for the fixture, will likely treat the evening as a celebration before their World Cup campaign begins. But O’Neill stressed that such arrangements are France’s own business. What matters for Northern Ireland is the challenge on the pitch and the experience gained from facing a team of that stature.

The match also comes at a notable moment for O’Neill personally. In May, he signed a new contract running until 2032, despite reported interest from Blackburn Rovers, underlining the long-term faith Northern Ireland have placed in his leadership. Against France, he will be looking for disciplined, competitive signs from his side rather than a headline result.

For Northern Ireland, the visit to Lille is not about the occasion itself, but about performance, resilience and learning. For France, it is a final step before a major summer tournament.