The France team approaches its last two qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup in a position of strength. First in Group D with 10 points and a goal difference of +6, they face Ukraine on Wednesday at the Parc des Princes, then Azerbaijan on Sunday in Baku. A single victory is enough to validate the ticket to North America. A simple draw against Ukraine and another positive result in Azerbaijan would also do the trick. But a disaster scenario exists. If France finished third in their group, they would be eliminated from the world competition. Theoretically unlikely, but not impossible.
For the Blues to be out, there would have to be a real collapse. Two consecutive defeats against Ukraine and Azerbaijan, combined with favorable results for Ukraine and Iceland. Ukraine, second with 7 points (+1), should beat France on Wednesday by a large score in order to overtake them on goal average. Iceland, third with 4 points (+2), should also string together victories with strong results. In this scenario, France could find itself third and eliminated. A nightmare reminiscent of the 1993 drama.
The specter of 1993 still looms large for the French team
November 17, 1993 at the Parc des Princes remains engraved as one of the darkest dates in French football. During qualifying for the 1994 World Cup, France dominated its group with 13 points after six wins and a draw. A simple draw against Bulgaria was enough to qualify. But in the 89th minute, Emil Kostadinov scored the defeating goal (2-1). The Blues finished third and were eliminated. Bulgaria and Sweden, coming out of the same group, would reach the semi-finals of the American World Cup. Didier Deschamps, defensive midfielder of this team, never forgot.
The current coach still bears the scars of this nightmarish evening. In his recent statements, Deschamps reiterated the need to remain vigilant: “I’ve already experienced this in my playing career. We can never consider that a qualification is acquired before the last whistle. » A warning that resonates as a reminder: history can repeat itself. Even if the probability remains low, the memory of 1993 still haunts French memories.
A safety net exists
If the worst were to happen, France would not be totally doomed. Thanks to its third place in the 2024-2025 Nations League, it would have a right to repechage via the play-offs in March 2026. Four best group winners of the Nations League who did not finish first or second in their qualifying groups advance to these play-offs. A four-team mini-tournament where two confrontations would separate the Blues from the World Cup. But no one wants to get to that point. The French team, accustomed to qualifying directly, would prefer to avoid this dangerous luxury. Wednesday evening at the Parc des Princes, Deschamps and his players will have to erase the specter of 1993. One victory, and it will all be over.
