Coupe de France: Five things to watch this weekend

There'll be no Boxing Day football in French football, but there'll certainly be a festive feeling to the pre-Christmas round of the Coupe de France, which sees all 18 Ligue 1 McDonald's clubs make their entry in the eighth round of one of the oldest and most prestigious cup competitions in world football.

1. The annual giant-killing threat

This is the round where reputations start to wobble. Ten clubs from Régional 1 and Régional 2 remain in the competition, and several welcome full-time professionals to grounds rarely used for national competition. Whether it’s FC Saint-Cyr Collonges Mont d’Or hosting Lyon or Raon l’Étape welcoming Paris FC, the margins are thin -  particularly in mid-winter conditions.

2. Ligue 1 McDonald's clubs under early pressure

For top-flight sides, the Coupe de France is a no-win scenario in the early rounds. Victory is expected; anything else is a crisis. Clubs battling relegation or rotation-heavy squads - such as Marseille away at Bourg-en-Bresse or Reims at IC Croix - face awkward tests where intensity, not quality, often decides the outcome.

3. All-pro clashes arriving early

The Round of 64 isn’t just about amateurs versus elites. Several headline ties pitch professional clubs against one another, most notably OGC Nice vs Saint-Étienne and Auxerre vs Monaco. These fixtures remove any margin for error and guarantee that at least one major name will exit before the competition truly gets going.

4. Overseas AS Le Gosier face Lorient

As ever, the Coupe de France’s global reach is part of its charm. AS Le Gosier’s tie with Lorient underlines the tournament’s unique inclusivity, even if logistical realities mean the match has been relocated to mainland France.

5. Rotation & respect

With packed league schedules and European commitments looming, squad management will be crucial. Some managers will rotate heavily; others will treat the Coupe as a priority. The balance between protecting players and respecting the competition often defines this round - and has a habit of exposing complacency.

READ MORE: 

>> Coupe de France: History, Format, All you need to know

>> Ligue 1 McDonald's clubs enter Coupe de France Round of 64