After a hard-fought draw against Iceland (2-2) in Reykjavik, the French team remains at the top of Group D in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, but the equation for direct qualification remains tricky.So...
After a hard-fought draw against Iceland (2-2) in Reykjavik, the French team remains at the top of Group D in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, but the equation for direct qualification remains tricky.
So, how can Les Bleus secure their ticket for the Qatar 2026 edition?
Let’s break it down.
Group D Standings
Position Team Matches W D L GF GA Diff Points
1) France - 10 pts (+6)
2) Ukraine - 7 pts
3) Iceland - 4 pts
4) Azerbaijan - 1 pt
With a three-point lead over Ukraine, France can still aim for direct qualification… but nothing is guaranteed.
Scenario 1: Victory against Ukraine 💪
The simplest scenario for Les Bleus is obviously to beat Ukraine in the next decisive home clash. A win would secure first place in the group and thus direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Scenario 2: The Draw 🫢
A draw would make things slightly more complicated. France and Ukraine would be level on points, but Les Bleus would keep the advantage thanks to a better goal difference. However, it would still be crucial not to let up in the final match against Azerbaijan to avoid jeopardizing everything.
Scenario 3: Defeat
In the event of a defeat, France would have to settle for second place and go through the playoffs to hope to qualify. This scenario isn’t dramatic, but it would increase the pressure on Didier Deschamps and his men.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.
📸 HALLDOR KOLBEINS - AFP or licensors
Category: General Sports
