While FIFA has formalized the procedure and the composition of the hats for the draw for the 2026 World Cup, one detail has not escaped observers: France, 3rd in the world ranking at the end of the year, will avoid England until a possible final if the two selections finish first in their group. But the Blues could have hoped for an even more lenient picture. Indeed, according to RMC Sporta success in Iceland last October would have allowed them to overtake Spain and Argentina in the FIFA rankings, and therefore secure first place before the draw on December 5. By winning this match, Didier Deschamps’ men would have reached 1882.30 points, a total sufficient to settle at the top of international football.
In short: the draw conceded in Reykjavik (2-2), after an unconvincing performance, ultimately keeps them in 3rd place with 1870 points. This scenario leaves some regrets, especially since the French team reacted perfectly after the Icelandic opening score thanks to Christopher Nkunku then Jean-Philippe Mateta, before being caught almost immediately following a costly alignment error by Jules Koundé. Nothing alarming though, but a slight scent of waste when we know that a single match handled differently could have modified the theoretical course of the French team at the World Cup…
