Coupe de France Round of 16 Set: PSG’s Exit Opens Door for New Champion
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The elimination of Paris Saint-Germain in the Parisian derby against Paris FC has dramatically reshaped the landscape of the Coupe de France, leaving the competition wide open as the draw for the round of 16 approaches. With nine Ligue 1 clubs and six from Ligue 2 still in contention – alongside the potential upset from Bayeux – the path to the trophy is now more unpredictable than ever.
Dramatic Upsets Define Round of 16 Qualification
The road to the round of 16 was marked by several notable results, culminating in a stunning upset as Paris FC defeated reigning champions PSG 0-1 on Monday, January 12, 2026. This result signals a potential shift in power within French football and sets the stage for a thrilling knockout stage.
Earlier in the weekend, several other matches concluded, including a penalty shootout victory for Toulouse over Angers SCO (1-1, 5-6 on penalties) on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Strasbourg delivered a dominant performance, defeating US Avranches MSM 0-6, while Amiens SC advanced with a 2-4 win against Montreuil FC. Sunday, January 11, 2026, saw Lens secure a 0-3 victory over FC Sochaux-Montbéliard and Rennes triumph over US Chantilly with a score of 1-3. Montpellier also made a statement with a resounding 0-4 win against FC Metz.
The Matchups: A Blend of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 Clashes
The confirmed pairings for the round of 16 feature a compelling mix of top-flight and second-tier teams. Here’s a look at the scheduled matches:
- Toulouse (L1) – Amiens (L2)
- Strasbourg (L1) – Monaco (L1)
- Reims (L2) – Le Mans (L2)
- Nice (L1) – Montpellier (L2)
- Lyon (L1) – Laval (L2)
- Lorient (L1) – Paris FC (L1)
- Troyes (L2) – Lens (L1)
The final matchup remains contingent on the outcome of the Bayeux (R1) versus Marseille (L1) contest. Should Marseille prevail, they will face Rennes (L1) in the next round.
Bayeux’s Cinderella Run Captivates France
The story of Bayeux FC, a team from the Regional 1 league, has captured the imagination of the nation. What makes their journey even more remarkable is the fact that three of their players – Paul Aubel, Grégoire Delain, and Pierre-Mickaël Anquetil – are colleagues at Normandie Volets et Menuiseries, adding a unique human interest angle to their cup run. Their potential clash with Marseille represents a classic David versus Goliath scenario.
A Potential End to Ligue 1 Dominance?
With PSG’s elimination, the Coupe de France is poised for a new champion. “Owned by PSG for the last two seasons, the Coupe de France trophy will change hands during this 2025-2026 season,” a senior official stated. This marks the first time since Toulouse’s victory in 2023 that a team other than PSG will lift the trophy.
Looking at the historical success of clubs in the competition, PSG leads with 16 titles, followed by Olympique de Marseille with 10. ASSE, LOSC, AS Monaco, Olympique Lyonnais, RC Paris, and Red Star all have 5 titles, while Girondins de Bordeaux, FC Nantes, and AJ Auxerre have secured 4 titles each. However, several clubs currently in the round of 16 are experiencing prolonged trophy droughts. .
The Draw and Future Outlook
The draw for the round of 16 is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. on beIN Sports, with former Polish international Damien Perquis leading the proceedings alongside Rémi Gomis. As the competition progresses, the focus will undoubtedly shift to which team can capitalize on PSG’s absence and claim the coveted Coupe de France title. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the 2025-2026 season.
