• Bayern Munich winger scores his first ever hat-trick for France in World Cup warm-up victory
• Didier Deschamps takes charge of his final match on French soil before stepping down after the tournament
• Former Crystal Palace star shows the ‘mentality’ needed for top individual honours, says Louis Saha
• Kylian Mbappé remains one goal short of Olivier Giroud’s national scoring record after quiet display
• France begin their World Cup campaign against Senegal on 16 June in New Jersey

Michael Olise stole the spotlight as France beat Northern Ireland in their final friendly before the World Cup. The Bayern Munich winger scored three goals to give his country a perfect send-off from Lille.

The match marked Didier Deschamps’ last game on home soil. The manager will leave his post after the tournament ends in July, closing a 14-year chapter.

Olise opened his account by reacting quickly to a deflected shot from Ousmane Dembélé. He then fired a thunderous strike into the net for his second goal. His hat-trick was complete when he curled a beautiful shot past the goalkeeper from the edge of the area.

Experts had predicted this breakthrough. Gael Clichy, who coached Olise at the Paris Olympics, tipped him as a star for the tournament. Former France striker Louis Saha also offered high praise. He said the 24-year-old has the potential to win the Ballon d’Or if he maintains his form. Saha pointed to Olise’s strong character during three seasons at Crystal Palace before his move to Germany in 2024.

Deschamps noted how much the player has grown since his debut last year. “Michael is amazing,” he said. “He is decisive, clinical and works hard in defence. We will need him at this level.”

The France boss explained that Olise was quiet when he first joined the squad. He described the player as an introvert who needed time to relax with his team-mates. Now he looks confident and comfortable on the international stage.

France possess incredible strength in attack. Aside from Olise, Dembélé and Mbappé, they can call upon Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki and Warren Zaïre-Emery. Deschamps believes this firepower gives France a real chance to lift the trophy for a third time.

For Mbappé, the night brought frustration. The Real Madrid forward had a goal ruled out for offside and missed several clear chances. He remains stuck on 56 goals, one behind Olivier Giroud’s all-time record for Les Bleus. Despite this dry spell, Deschamps refused to worry. “He is saving his goals for the USA,” the manager joked.

The World Cup begins for France on 16 June. They face Senegal in New Jersey, followed by group matches against Iraq and Norway.

• Gael Clichy predicts Michael Olise will announce himself as a global superstar at the 2026 World Cup
• The former France defender compares the Bayern Munich winger’s potential impact to Kylian Mbappe’s 2018 breakthrough
• Clichy also praises Rayan Cherki’s development at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola
• Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta receives backing after his Olympic heroics

Former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Gael Clichy believes Michael Olise can become a true star at the upcoming World Cup. The Bayern Munich winger has the talent to copy Kylian Mbappe’s famous breakthrough in 2018.

Clichy will work as a BBC Sport pundit during the tournament in North America. He knows Olise well from the 2024 Paris Olympics. He worked as Thierry Henry’s assistant coach for the French under-23 team that won silver medals.

“Michael is already famous because he plays for Bayern Munich and appears in the Champions League,” Clichy said. “But this is his first World Cup. He has only played 16 times for the senior team. Many fans in France did not know him before last summer.”

The 22-year-old moved to the German club from Crystal Palace. He enjoyed a strong first season there. Clichy says that if Olise plays for France like he plays for Bayern, people will see him as one of the country’s best players.

Clichy also talked about Rayan Cherki’s improvement. The attacking midfielder joined Manchester City from Olympique Lyonnais and has changed his game under Pep Guardiola. The former left-back compared Cherki’s path to Samir Nasri’s career, though he thinks the City player has more talent.

“Rayan has amazing skill with both feet, but he needed to learn how to defend,” Clichy explained. “Working with Pep can make you great or ruin you. Rayan chose to listen. At only 22, he can still reach Kevin De Bruyne’s level.”

Finally, Clichy supported Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta’s place in the squad. The strong centre-forward helped Palace win the FA Cup and Conference League. He was also captain during the Olympics.

“Jean-Philippe is a traditional number nine with great physical power,” Clichy added. “He scores important goals and leads the team. His character will be vital if France want to win the trophy.”

• Christian Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s friendly match against Ukraine on Sunday
• The 34-year-old midfielder briefly lost consciousness but recovered quickly and walked off the pitch
• Doctors say his heart device worked correctly and he is now in hospital for further tests
• The match in Odense was abandoned in the 65th minute after the incident
• Eriksen suffered a similar collapse during the Euro 2020 tournament against Finland

Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen is conscious and stable after collapsing during an international friendly against Ukraine. The incident happened in the 65th minute of the match in Odense.

Television pictures showed the 34-year-old holding his chest before falling on the pitch. Medical staff ran onto the pitch immediately. Players from both teams formed a circle around Eriksen to give him privacy while doctors treated him.

The Danish Football Union released a statement on social media platform X. They confirmed that Eriksen was awake and recovering well under the circumstances.

Doctor Morten Boesen gave more details about the incident. He saved Eriksen’s life during a similar collapse in 2021. “Christian is doing well. He walked off the pitch by himself,” Boesen said. “His pacemaker responded as it should. He was unconscious for a short time but woke up very quickly.”

Boesen explained that Eriksen will have more medical tests at the hospital. “We need to find out what caused this problem. We are talking to him and the hospital doctors regularly. Christian sent his best wishes to all the players and told them he is OK.”

Denmark captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg saw the incident happen. “I saw Christian falling on the pitch. We know what this means because of his history,” Hojbjerg told TV2. “Everyone reacted very fast. I want to praise the medical team for their courage. It was a big shock for everyone. The most important thing is that Christian is well.”

After the match was abandoned, players and coaches from both countries stood together in a circle on the pitch. Denmark coach Brian Riemer thanked everyone for their support.

“Christian is doing well. He left the pitch and sent messages to the team,” Riemer said. “Now we must stay together. You saw how dignified everyone was on the pitch. We need to support each other during this difficult time.”

This is the second time Eriksen has collapsed while playing for Denmark. In 2021, he suffered a cardiac arrest during a European Championship match against Finland in Copenhagen. Doctor Boesen gave him life-saving CPR treatment on the pitch.

After that incident, doctors fitted Eriksen with an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD). This special device helps control heart rhythm problems.

The ICD caused problems with his club career at the time. Italian rules stopped him from playing for Inter Milan while wearing the device. The club ended his contract in 2021.

Eriksen returned to football in England in January 2022. He first signed with Brentford. Then he moved to Manchester United that summer. He played 107 games for United and scored eight goals. He won the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

He left Manchester United when his contract finished in 2025. He now plays for Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.

• Anselmo Garcia MacNulty will join 1. FC Magdeburg as a free agent
• The 2. Bundesliga club fended off interest from Italian and Dutch sides
• The defender previously played for PEC Zwolle after leaving Wolfsburg’s academy
• He has represented the Republic of Ireland at Under-21 level
• Negotiations are in final stages with the transfer expected soon

Republic of Ireland defender Anselmo Garcia MacNulty is poised to sign for German second division club 1. FC Magdeburg. The transfer will be a free move for the centre-back, who is currently available without a fee.

The Seville-born stopper attracted strong interest from teams in Italy and the Netherlands. However, Sky Germany reports that Magdeburg have won the race for his signature. Talks between the player and the club are now at an advanced stage.

MacNulty began his professional journey with Wolfsburg, moving to their youth setup in 2019. Despite spending several years in Germany, he never made a senior appearance for the Wolves. He left to join Dutch outfit PEC Zwolle on a free transfer at the end of his contract.

During his time in the Eredivisie, the defender became a regular starter. His consistent displays in the Netherlands have now earned him a return to German football. Magdeburg, who finished 14th in the recent 2. Bundesliga campaign, see him as a key addition to their defence.

On the international stage, MacNulty has earned caps for the Republic of Ireland at Under-21 level. Despite being born in Spain, he qualifies for Ireland through his heritage.

• Florian Kastenmeier will leave Fortuna Düsseldorf as a free agent at the end of June.
• Werder Bremen plan to sign the 28-year-old shot-stopper on a free transfer.
• Bremen coach Daniel Thioune previously made Kastenmeier captain at Düsseldorf.
• The German keeper is expected to challenge Estonian international Karl Hein for the starting position.
• Kastenmeier has only one season of Bundesliga experience, which came in 2019/20.

Werder Bremen are moving to strengthen their goalkeeping department ahead of the new campaign. The Bundesliga side have set their sights on Florian Kastenmeier, who will become a free agent when his contract expires this month.

The 28-year-old is currently at Fortuna Düsseldorf. The club have decided not to extend his deal following their relegation to the 3. Liga. This drop to the third tier has forced the goalkeeper to seek opportunities elsewhere.

A key factor in this potential move is the relationship between Kastenmeier and Bremen manager Daniel Thioune. The coach previously handed the keeper the captain’s armband during their time together in Düsseldorf. This existing bond could give Bremen an edge over other clubs chasing the free agent.

The German club recently sold Mio Backhaus to SC Freiburg for a reported €12 million. Karl Hein is now set to become the first-choice goalkeeper. Kastenmeier would initially act as his deputy, though he will hope to push for a starting role.

Despite attracting interest from several teams across Europe, the chance to reunite with Thioune may prove decisive. The keeper has limited top-flight experience, having featured in the Bundesliga solely during the 2019/20 season.

• Herbert Hainer tells Florentino Pérez to abandon pursuit of Michael Olise
• Bayern Munich insist they will reject any incoming offers for the winger
• Olise recently named the Bundesliga’s Best Player of the Season
• Reports suggest Real Madrid are preparing a bid despite Bayern’s stance

Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer has sent a clear message to Real Madrid chief Florentino Pérez regarding Michael Olise. The Bundesliga club have no plans to sell the highly-rated French winger.

Speaking to Bild on Sunday, Hainer dismissed speculation linking Olise with a move to Spain. He stated that Pérez should not waste time preparing a bid. “No offer has arrived, but he can save himself the trouble,” Hainer said. “The player has a long-term contract with us. We are not a selling club.”

The 24-year-old has emerged as a key target for the Spanish giants. Recent reports suggested he featured prominently in Real Madrid’s presidential election discussions. However, Bayern’s firm stance appears to block any potential deal.

Although Pérez has publicly stated that their next major signing target is not Olise, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano claims otherwise. Romano reports that the record Champions League winners are preparing a formal proposal for the Bundesliga’s top performer this season. Olise is now preparing to represent France in his first major international tournament this summer.

• Bayern president Herbert Hainer rules out Michael Olise sale to Real Madrid
• German champions would reject offers of €150 million or higher
• Olise contributed 22 goals and 31 assists in 52 appearances last season
• French international remains under contract at Bayern until 2029

Bayern Munich will not sell winger Michael Olise to Real Madrid this summer. Club president Herbert Hainer has closed the door on any potential transfer.

In an interview with Bild, Hainer insisted that Bayern are not a selling club. He confirmed that Olise is under contract for the long term. The president stressed that even an offer of €150 million or higher would be turned down. He noted that Real Madrid chief Florentino Pérez has not contacted the club about a move.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a brilliant first season with the German side. He scored 22 goals and set up 31 more in 52 matches across all competitions. His efforts helped the team win the Bundesliga title.

Pérez recently stated he is ready to invest at least €150 million on a star signing if he keeps his role as Real Madrid president. Reports suggest Olise is the main player on his wish list.

The France international was born in London. He signed with Bayern until 2029 and will soon play in his first World Cup. Hainer’s strong stance suggests Olise will remain at the club despite interest from Spain.

• Schalke 04 agree terms to sign Satoshi Tanaka from Fortuna Düsseldorf
• Transfer fee reduced to €1 million after relegation clause activated
• 23-year-old defensive midfielder to undergo medical examination
• Japan international joined Düsseldorf from Sanfrecce Hiroshima in January

Schalke 04 have reached a complete agreement to sign their first player of the summer window. The German club will capture Japanese midfielder Satoshi Tanaka from Fortuna Düsseldorf for a significantly reduced fee.

Media outlet Sky Germany reports that Schalke will pay only €1 million to activate the player’s release clause. This amount fell sharply from €10 million after Düsseldorf dropped to the third division.

Reporter Florian Plettenberg states that Schalke informed Düsseldorf of their decision to trigger the clause on Saturday. Officials will now schedule the medical tests before the transfer becomes official.

The 23-year-old defensive midfielder moved to Germany in the winter transfer window. Former sporting director Sven Mislintat signed him from J1 League team Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Tanaka’s current contract runs until 2030.

He played 13 matches in the second tier, recording two assists. The player did not earn selection for Japan’s national team at the World Cup. He will now compete in the top flight with Schalke after their promotion from the second division.

• Bayern Munich expect to complete the signing of Ismael Saibari from PSV next week
• Medical examinations for the 25-year-old will take place in the United States
• The Bundesliga champions have reached a full agreement with the Moroccan attacker
• Saibari scored 19 goals last season, including strikes against Bayern in Europe
• He will join Morocco’s squad for the upcoming World Cup finals

Bayern Munich believe they will finalise the transfer of Ismael Saibari from PSV Eindhoven within the next seven days. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the German club have scheduled medical tests for the player in America.

The deal is now at an advanced stage. Bayern have secured a complete agreement with the 25-year-old forward.

Saibari will represent Morocco at the upcoming World Cup. The national team hope to repeat their surprise success from the Qatar tournament in 2022.

The attacker enjoyed an excellent season with PSV. He scored 19 goals in all competitions, finding the net against Bayern during their Champions League clash. He has also won three consecutive Dutch league titles under manager Peter Bosz.

• Bayern Munich have shaken hands on personal terms with left-back Nathaniel Brown
• Eintracht Frankfurt want €60 million for the 22-year-old Germany international
• The defender is set to play at the World Cup after impressing for the national team
• Brown joined Frankfurt for only €3 million from Nürnberg in January 2024
• Vincent Kompany has offered the fullback a contract until 2031

FC Bayern Munich have struck a deal with Nathaniel Brown over a summer transfer. The German champions have agreed personal terms with the Eintracht Frankfurt fullback. However, the two clubs are still negotiating the transfer fee.

Sky reports that Frankfurt’s sporting director Markus Krösche wants €60 million for the player. This price is twenty times what Frankfurt paid to sign Brown from Nürnberg in January 2024. The Bundesliga side spent only €3 million to bring him to the club 18 months ago.

The 22-year-old has already spoken with Bayern manager Vincent Kompany. The Premier League legend is planning to use Brown in his defence next season. Bayern have offered the left-back a contract until 2031.

Brown is currently preparing for the World Cup with the Germany national team. He started in Saturday’s 2-1 friendly win against the United States in Chicago. This victory extended Germany’s winning run to nine matches.

The young defender has moved ahead of RB Leipzig captain David Raum in the national team pecking order. Many expect him to start at left-back when the World Cup begins.

Last season, Brown scored four goals in the Bundesliga. He also provided six assists, giving him ten direct goal involvements in total.