Reigning world vice-world champion, beaten by Argentina on penalties less than three years ago in Qatar, the French team was already well left to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America. The Blues of Didier Deschamps indeed beat their main outsider, Ukraine (2-0), when they entered the scene on Friday evening during a delocalized match in Poland.
Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappé and others have the opportunity to take one more step towards an easy qualification by beating Iceland, next Tuesday at the Parc des Princes. The third opponent of the group, Azerbaijan, will come to Paris in mid-October, before a trip to Reykjavik. The window for the month of November will give the last two games: the reception of the Ukrainians and the second confrontation with the Azerbaijani, in Bakou this time.
France would then be part of the 12 heads of series of the draw for the World Cup 26 on December 5 in Washington DC, in the company of the three host countries, Canada, the United States and Mexico, as well as the other world's best nations. Argentina and Brazil have already composted their ticket, Spain, England or Portugal are well started.
The Blues against Germany in the first round?
Germany, however a favorite of its qualifying group, fell from Slovak (2-0). The Mannschaft led by Julian Nagelsmann can still largely finish at the top of his hen and qualify directly for the World Cup. But last Thursday's defeat sends Germany out of the top 10 in the FIFA world ranking – and even in 11th place behind Italy – and it would be synonymous with the second hat of the draw!
At the World Cup, only European selections can come across an opponent of the same Confederation and the Blues will have to avoid big pieces of hat 2 such as Morocco, Senegal, Colombia, Uruguay and therefore potentially Germany. If the French team does not inherit a European opponent in hat 2, it will be likely to face one of the four winners of the UEFA dams placed in hat 4 of the draw. Italy is however the moment projected as a barragist …
