France Draws with Iceland, Ending Perfect World Cup Qualifier Run
France faced a challenging match against Iceland, ending their perfect record in the World Cup qualifiers with a 2-2 draw in Reykjavik. Despite starting the qualifiers with three victories in a row, this result means France will have to wait longer to secure their spot for the 2026 World Cup.
Match Overview
The first goal of the match came from Iceland’s Victor Palsson at the 39th minute. However, France quickly turned the game around with goals from Christopher Nkunku and Jean-Philippe Mateta within five minutes of each other in the second half. Just when it seemed France would claim victory, Iceland’s Kristian Hlynsson equalized, ensuring both teams shared the points.
Current Standings
As of now, France leads Group D with 10 points, three ahead of Ukraine, who defeated Azerbaijan 2-1 on the same day. Despite their lead, this draw complicates France’s path to automatic qualification.
- Goalscorers:
- Victor Palsson (Iceland) – 39th minute
- Christopher Nkunku (France) – 63rd minute
- Jean-Philippe Mateta (France) – 68th minute
- Kristian Hlynsson (Iceland) – 71st minute
- Group D Standings:
- France: 10 points
- Ukraine: 7 points
- Azerbaijan: 0 points
Injury Concerns
France missed their captain Kylian Mbappé, who had scored in their previous victory over Azerbaijan but left the field limping due to an ankle injury. His absence is a significant concern for the national team as they strive for qualification.
Other Group Updates
In Group B, Switzerland also missed an opportunity to qualify, settling for a 0-0 draw against Slovenia. This meant they remained at the top of the group with seven points, while Kosovo secured a 1-0 victory against Sweden, bringing their total to seven points as well.
Future Qualification Structure
The tournament for the 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams, expanding from the previous 32. The top 12 teams from each qualifying group will automatically qualify, while the remaining teams will enter a playoff system.
As the qualifiers continue, teams will be vying for their place in the tournament scheduled to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The playoffs will feature semifinal matches followed by finals, all set to take place in March 2026.
