France Holds Firm in World Cup 2026 Qualifiers After Iceland Draw, Eyes Key Win Over Ukraine
France drew 2-2 with Iceland in World Cup qualifiers but holds top spot; a win over Ukraine next month would secure their 2026 World Cup participation.
- • France drew 2-2 with Iceland despite injuries to key players like Mbappé and Dembélé.
- • A win against Ukraine on November 13 would guarantee France's qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
- • France has a superior goal difference to Ukraine, offering some leeway in qualification scenarios.
- • Even a loss against Ukraine might not eliminate France thanks to their Nations League ranking and playoff eligibility.
Key details
France’s national football team secured a 2-2 draw against Iceland in their recent 2026 World Cup qualifier, highlighting both resilience and challenges as the team aims to confirm their spot in the tournament early next month. Despite injuries to key players like Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, France maintained their position at the top of Group D but were unable to clinch victory due to defensive lapses and an opportunistic Icelandic side.
In Reykjavik, France twice took the lead thanks to goals from Christopher Nkunku and Jean-Philippe Mateta but conceded late equalizers — notably a defensive error from Saliba minutes before halftime led to Iceland's first goal. Coach Didier Deschamps, faced with a depleted attacking lineup, fielded a makeshift side featuring Florian Thauvin, Jean-Philippe Mateta, and playmaker Michael Olise. The draw underscores the team’s recent struggles but also their ability to compete without several starters.
Looking ahead, a win against Ukraine on November 13 at the Parc des Princes would guarantee France’s qualification to the World Cup hosted across the USA, Mexico, and Canada, marking their eighth consecutive appearance. A draw in that match would postpone automatic qualification confirmation until the final group match. However, France holds a superior goal difference (+6) compared to Ukraine (+1), which provides a cushion; even a defeat against Ukraine might not doom their qualification chances depending on subsequent results. Additionally, finishing third would still secure France a chance in the European playoffs due to their Nations League success.
Former French defender Marius Trésor noted the match’s difficulties but remains optimistic about the team’s future performance with the anticipated return of Mbappé and other Paris Saint-Germain players, suggesting vitality and cohesion will improve going forward.
France’s focus now turns to the crucial doubleheader against Ukraine and Azerbaijan in November, where a strong performance could close their qualification campaign without the need for last-minute calculations. Until then, their position atop the group and strategic advantages provide a promising outlook despite the recent setbacks.