Saint-Étienne and Nice Play Promotion Playoff During FIFA Window

The two-legged playoff between Saint-Étienne and Nice to decide the final Ligue 1 place will be played on 26 and 29 May. The matches occur during the FIFA international window for the World Cup. The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) has scheduled them despite the timing.

The tie is a home-and-away format, with each club hosting one leg. The winner will secure the last promotion slot for the 2026-27 Ligue 1 season. The scheduling ensures the competition concludes before the new season starts.

The dates fall squarely in the FIFA window when national teams call up players for the World Cup. During this period clubs are required to release players to their respective associations. Consequently, both Saint-Étienne and Nice will have to field squads without their internationals.

The LFP explained that it had limited alternatives for the fixture. With the calendar already packed by domestic and European commitments, moving the playoff outside the window proved unfeasible. The federation therefore accepted the overlap with the international break.

The decision highlights the pressure on French clubs to balance domestic promotion battles with the global tournament schedule. Both clubs will need to manage squad depth and tactical adjustments. The outcome will directly affect the composition of Ligue 1 for the upcoming season.

The winner of the two matches will join the promoted clubs already confirmed, completing the lineup for next season's top flight. Fans can anticipate the decisive fixtures later in May, with the final result determining the last Ligue 1 participant.