The French national football team has set its sights on the 2026 World Cup qualifiers following their decisive matches in the League of Nations. As the team prepares to embark on this new journey, clarity has emerged about their group placement, contingent on their performance against Croatia in the Nations League quarter-finals.
On March 23, 2025, France will know exactly who they will face in the qualifiers. Their recent performance saw them through to the final four of the League of Nations, qualifying them to make a run for glory after a tense penalty shootout. Coach Didier Deschamps' squad must now focus on the qualifiers which begin in September 2025.
Depending on the outcome against Croatia, which saw them suffer a 0-2 defeat in the first leg, the French team is looking to overturn that result in the return match. If they succeed, they will secure a spot in Group D alongside Ukraine, Iceland, and Azerbaijan. However, should they fail once more, they will face a tougher road, being placed in Group L. That group features the Czech Republic, Montenegro, the Faroe Islands, and Gibraltar, highlighting the stakes ahead for the French squad.
The qualifiers are pivotal as France aims to finish at the top of their group to guarantee direct entry into the World Cup. As outlined in strategic discussions post-match, finishing first not only secures their spot in the tournament, set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, but also helps avoid the complications of playoffs. If they do not capture the group, they may have to settle for a playoff scenario come March 2026, a situation no team desires to face.
Deschamps emphasized the upcoming qualifiers' necessity, stating, “C’est le principal enseignement de la soirée,” reflecting the critical nature of the games that follow. France will kick off their qualification campaign with an away match against Ukraine on neutral ground, making an early challenge to establish dominance in their group.
The closing qualifier is anticipated to be another essential fixture when they travel to Azerbaijan on November 16, 2025. With recent performances demonstrating France's resilience, fans remain hopeful that their team will rise to the occasion. The tournament promises to be an exciting journey, yet the pressure mounts as the caliber of teams encountered requires utmost preparation and performance.
Conversely, Croatia, should they manage to secure a victory against the French, will move on to face a set of formidable opponents, including the likes of Montenegro and the Czech Republic in a larger group format of five teams. The stakes are indeed high, and as expressed in the discussions leading up to this thriller, “Est-ce qu’on ne se serait pas compliqué la tâche, finalement ?” Well, that remains to be seen.
For now, the French team must rally together, focus on their training, and strive to uphold their national pride in the quest for a place among the best as the qualifier match dates loom near. With fans expecting nothing less than a strong return to form, the journey through the qualifiers will be as thrilling as it will be challenging, ensuring all eyes remain on this talented squad as they aim for the World Cup stage.
As the qualifiers approach, the air is buzzing with anticipation. The French team's readiness, contingent upon the resurgence against Croatia, is not only about participating in the World Cup but affirming their position among football's elite. As the global stage prepares for its next gathering, France's path ahead is firmly set, and the football world watches closely.
