One last step to take. The French team returned to Ukraine on Thursday, November 13, to validate qualification for the 2026 World Cup (from June 11 to July 19). After the draw in Iceland (2-2), the Blues postponed the deadline. They still have two bullets left: this one and a trip to Azerbaijan on Sunday.
Victory and nothing else. This is the only scenario that could formalize the Blues’ participation in the next World Cup. A draw would take them closer to the goal, but with both teams being decided on goal difference, little hope remains for Ukraine, who will be three points and five goals behind.
Several Frenchmen were absent. Aurélien Tchouameni, Ousmane Dembélé, Adrien Rabiot, Marcus Thuram and Désiré Doué are all absent. N’Golo Kanté, however, is back, as is Rayan Cherki.
The game is ten years after the November 13, 2015 attacks. The context will certainly be special for the meeting which will take place at the Parc des Princes. Ten years ago, a terrorist attack left 130 people dead, including one near the Stade de France when the Blues faced Germany.
