A Step Away from the World Cup

The French national team is just one result away from confirming their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On Tuesday, Didier Deschamps’ men visit Iceland in Reykjavik, knowing that a win—combined with Ukraine failing to beat Azerbaijan in Krakow—would send them officially to North America.

Les Bleus top their group comfortably, sitting five points ahead of Ukraine, and despite the absence of captain Kylian Mbappé, they enter the match full of confidence after a commanding 3-0 victory over Azerbaijan.

Injuries Keep Piling Up for Deschamps

France’s biggest concern is the growing list of injuries. Mbappé has returned to Madrid after aggravating his right ankle, joining Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, and Marcus Thuram on the sidelines.

Defender Ibrahima Konaté has also left camp, while Adrien Rabiot remains doubtful after sitting out training with muscle discomfort. Even so, Deschamps insists his squad is ready to adapt, and his latest training session revealed a reshaped attack featuring Jean-Philippe Mateta up front, Michael Olise on the right, Florian Thauvin behind the striker, and Christopher Nkunku on the left. Hugo Ekitiké, who started last time out, looks set to return to the bench.

A Rare Sight: No PSG Players in the Lineup

Remarkably, France could field a lineup with no Paris Saint-Germain players for the first time since 1991. The fact reflects both the depth and generational renewal within Deschamps’ squad, as young talents continue to earn their place.

A victory in Reykjavik could seal qualification and further confirm that France’s dominance isn’t built around individuals, but around structure, balance, and a winning mentality. With or without Mbappé, Les Bleus remain one of the most complete teams on the planet.