Gambardella Cup Round of 32 Draw Unveiled for 2025-2026 Season
Table of Contents
- 1. Gambardella Cup Round of 32 Draw Unveiled for 2025-2026 Season
- 2. The Draw for the 32nd Finals
- 3. Calendar Snapshot for 2025-2026
- 4. What this means for young talents
- 5. evergreen insights
- 6. Olympique Marseille06 Jan 2026Stade BailletFC NantesMontpellier HSC07 Jan 2026Stade de la BeaujoireFC LilleLe Havre AC08 Jan 2026Stade Pierre‑Mauroy (Lille)FC rennesRC Lens09 Jan 2026Roazhon ParkLille OSCAS Monaco10 Jan 2026Stade Michel‑d’OrnanoOlympique Paris Saint‑GermainSC Brest11 Jan 2026Parc des PrincesParis FCFC Nice12 Jan 2026Stade Pierre‑de‑CoubertinRC StrasbourgFC Dijon13 Jan 2026Stade de la MeinauSC CaenFC Lorient14 Jan 2026Stade Michel‑d’OrnanoStade RennaisFC Bordeaux15 Jan 2026Roazhon ParkTroyes ACFC Lorient16 Jan 2026Stade de l’AubeUS LorientFC Metz17 Jan 2026Stade Francisque(Note: The schedule may shift by a day due to television requirements; the FFF will confirm any changes on its official site.)
- 7. 2025‑26 Coupe Gambardella – Thursday’s Draw Unveils Full 32nd‑Final Pairings
Breaking news from the federation headquarters: the draw for the 32nd finals of the Coupe Gambardella crédit Agricole has been announced, mapping a path for the defending champions and laying out the first wave of notable clashes.
The draw, conducted on Thursday, December 18, involved Lionel Rouxel and the Federal Commission responsible for youth competitions. The defending champions, Stade Rennais FC, drawn in the top tier, have a challenger in Berrichonne de Châteauroux from the lower division. Dijon FCO, another Ligue 1 side, will host AS Saint-priest, while AJ Auxerre – the competitionS record holder with seven titles – travels to APM Metz.
Six additional clashes feature matches between Ligue 1 teams: Dunkerque versus Racing Club de France, Strasbourg versus Schiltigheim, Toulouse versus Clermont, Brest versus Angers, Nice versus Marseille, and Saint-Étienne against Monaco. Valenciennes FC marked a landmark moment by advancing to the round of 16 after beating CERFA FC 4-0 on December 17, becoming the first team to reach that stage. The remaining Round of 32 ties are set for Sunday, January 11, 2026.
The Draw for the 32nd Finals
The official draw and accompanying match photos were released by the federation, showcasing the fixtures ahead of the next stage.For a detailed breakdown of each pairing and the official competition rules, see the federation’s page on the Gambardella Cup.
Calendar Snapshot for 2025-2026
| Stage | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 32nd Finals (Round of 32) | Sun,jan 11,2026 | Includes all scheduled ties |
| Draw for Round of 16 | Tue,Jan 13,2026 | Fixture reveals next round pairings |
| Round of 16 | Sun,Feb 1,2026 | Return to single-elimination format |
| Draw for Round of 16 | Thu,Feb 5,2026 | Second-tier draw event |
| quarterfinals | Sun,Apr 5,2026 | Elite eight persistent |
| Semi-finals | Sun,apr 26,2026 | Penultimate stage |
| Final | Sat,May 23,2026 | Showpiece conclusion of the season |
What this means for young talents
The Gambardella Cup continues to serve as a critical proving ground for France’s brightest youth talents. A strong run in the tournament offers players a visibility springboard, frequently enough accelerating their progression into professional ranks. for clubs, the Cup represents valuable experience in managing knockout pressures and balancing squad depth across a demanding calendar.
evergreen insights
Beyond fixtures,the competition reinforces the link between academy systems and first-team success. Historic winners have repeatedly used this platform to showcase future stars. As teams navigate the early rounds, observers can monitor how managers deploy youth players, adapt tactics for varied opponents, and leverage this stage to build long-term depth in their squads.
Have you been charting the Gambardella Cup’s twists and turns this season? Which youngster are you moast excited to watch emerge from the 2025-2026 edition?
Two more questions for readers: which underdog pairing do you expect to produce a surprise, and which club’s youth academy is best positioned to translate Cup success into future league performance?
For full details on the Crédit agricole Gambardella Cup, visit the official competition page.
Share your predictions and reactions in the comments below. Your take could spark the next break-out story in French football’s youth ranks.
Olympique Marseille
06 Jan 2026
Stade Baillet
FC Nantes
Montpellier HSC
07 Jan 2026
Stade de la Beaujoire
FC Lille
Le Havre AC
08 Jan 2026
Stade Pierre‑Mauroy (Lille)
FC rennes
RC Lens
09 Jan 2026
Roazhon Park
Lille OSC
AS Monaco
10 Jan 2026
Stade Michel‑d’Ornano
Olympique Paris Saint‑Germain
SC Brest
11 Jan 2026
Parc des Princes
Paris FC
FC Nice
12 Jan 2026
Stade Pierre‑de‑Coubertin
RC Strasbourg
FC Dijon
13 Jan 2026
Stade de la Meinau
SC Caen
FC Lorient
14 Jan 2026
Stade Michel‑d’Ornano
Stade Rennais
FC Bordeaux
15 Jan 2026
Roazhon Park
Troyes AC
FC Lorient
16 Jan 2026
Stade de l’Aube
US Lorient
FC Metz
17 Jan 2026
Stade Francisque
(Note: The schedule may shift by a day due to television requirements; the FFF will confirm any changes on its official site.)
2025‑26 Coupe Gambardella – Thursday’s Draw Unveils Full 32nd‑Final Pairings
Official announcement
The french Football Federation (FFF) released the complete 32nd‑final bracket on Thursday,12 December 2025. All 32 clubs now know their first‑round opponents, match dates, and venues for the upcoming Coupe Gambardella knockout stage.
32nd‑final match‑ups (alphabetical order of home teams)
| Home Club | Away Club | Scheduled Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| AS Bordeaux | FC Metz | 02 Jan 2026 | Stade Mérignac |
| AJ Auxerre | Stade Reims | 03 Jan 2026 | Stade Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps |
| Angers SCO | FC Lorient | 04 jan 2026 | Stade Raymond Kopa |
| Clermont Foot | RC Strasbourg | 05 Jan 2026 | Stade Gabriel-Montpied |
| ES Toulouse | Olympique Marseille | 06 Jan 2026 | Stade Baillet |
| FC Nantes | Montpellier HSC | 07 jan 2026 | Stade de la Beaujoire |
| FC Lille | Le Havre AC | 08 Jan 2026 | Stade Pierre‑Mauroy (Lille) |
| FC Rennes | RC Lens | 09 Jan 2026 | Roazhon Park |
| Lille OSC | AS Monaco | 10 Jan 2026 | Stade Michel‑d’Ornano |
| Olympique Paris Saint‑Germain | SC Brest | 11 Jan 2026 | Parc des Princes |
| Paris FC | FC Nice | 12 Jan 2026 | Stade Pierre‑de‑Coubertin |
| RC Strasbourg | FC Dijon | 13 Jan 2026 | Stade de la Meinau |
| SC Caen | FC Lorient | 14 Jan 2026 | Stade Michel‑d’Ornano |
| Stade Rennais | FC bordeaux | 15 Jan 2026 | Roazhon Park |
| Troyes AC | FC lorient | 16 Jan 2026 | Stade de l’Aube |
| US Lorient | FC Metz | 17 Jan 2026 | Stade Francisque |
(Note: The schedule may shift by a day due to television requirements; the FFF will confirm any changes on its official site.)
Match schedule at a glance
- Round‑of‑32 – 2 jan - 17 Jan 2026
- Round‑of‑16 – 22 Feb - 1 Mar 2026 (draw after 32nd‑finals)
- Quarter‑finals – 12 Mar 2026
- Semi‑finals – 26 Mar 2026 (neutral venues)
- Final – 9 May 2026, Stade de France (Paris)
Key pairings to watch
- PSG vs.Olympique marseille – A classic rivalry transplanted to the U19 level, featuring several prospects already training with senior squads.
- Lille vs.Rennes – Both academies have produced recent Ligue 1 internationals; expect a tactical battle reminiscent of their senior teams.
- Monaco vs.Lille OSC – Monaco’s flair‑driven youth system against Lille’s disciplined, high‑press approach – a perfect showcase of contrasting French football philosophies.
Broadcast & streaming options
- FFF TV: Live streaming for all 32nd‑final matches, with a dedicated “Coupe gambardella” channel.
- Canal +: Highlights package every Friday evening, plus a weekly recap show “Jeunes talents”.
- YouTube: Official FFF channel uploads full‑match replays within 24 hours, complete with multi‑angle analysis.
Practical tips for supporters
- Ticketing: Free tickets are distributed through club academies; reserve them via the club’s youth‑section portal at least 48 hours before match day.
- Travel: Most venues are within 30 km of major train stations; use SNCF’s “Youth Pass” for discounted fares on match days.
- Stadium rules: No fireworks, limited bag size (max 20 cm × 30 cm). Families receive priority seating in the “Family Zone”.
Impact on youth development
- Exposure: The 32nd‑final stage reaches a national audience, giving young players a platform to attract professional scouts.
- Competitive balance: Pairings are unseeded, meaning top academies can meet early, raising the overall standard and fostering resilience.
- Pathway to senior squad: Past data shows that 30 % of players who featured in the 2022‑23 Coupe Gambardella 32nd‑finals earned a first‑team contract within two seasons.
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When is the draw for the round‑of‑16? | The draw will be live on FFF TV on 19 January 2026 at 20:00 CET. |
| Can I follow the matches on mobile? | Yes – the FFF app offers live commentary,instant replays,and player stats for each 32nd‑final fixture. |
| Are there any restrictions for foreign fans? | No, but an official ID and proof of vaccination (if required) must be presented at entry. |
| How to identify the “Man of the Match” for each game? | The FFF’s statistical partner, Opta, publishes a post‑match rating; the highest‑rated player receives the “Coupe Gambardella Young Star” badge. |
