France can qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada with a victory over Ukraine at the Parc des Princes on Thursday night (19:45 GMT), while the visitors will be hoping to pick up crucial points to help their ambitions of qualifying for the tournament next summer.
Team form
Didier Deschamps’ men have been in impressive form in Group D thus far, beating Ukraine 2-0 away from home in their opening game, coming back from a goal down to beat Iceland 2-1 in Paris, and then a convincing 3-0 victory over Azerbaijan in the French capital.
Les Bleus’ winning run came to an end in Reykjavik last month. France once again came from a goal down against Iceland to lead 2-1, thanks to quickfire goals from Christopher Nkunku and Jean-Phillippe Mateta, only for Kristian Hlynsson to pull the hosts back level in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
Ukraine, meanwhile, stumbled out of the blocks somewhat, with that aforementioned defeat against the 2018 World Cup winners, followed by a disappointing 1-1 draw away to Azerbaijan.
However, Serhiy Rebrov’s men have turned things around with a 5-3 win over Iceland before beating Azerbaijan at home. A victory would put Ukraine level on points with France at the top of the group, but a defeat, and a win for Iceland in Azerbaijan, could see them to third.
Head-to-head
While Ukraine frustrated France with 1-1 draws in qualification for the 2022 World Cup, Les Bleus have a solid record over the Eastern European nation.
The two-time world champions have lost just once to Ukraine in 11 meetings, which was a 2-0 defeat in qualification for the 2014 World Cup, while they have won seven and drawn three.
France have won three of the last five meetings between the sides, including a 7-1 thrashing over Ukraine in a friendly at the Stade de France in 2020.
Team news
Deschamps has had several blows in attack ahead of these crucial World Cup qualifiers, with Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and his Paris Saint-Germain teammate, Desire Doue, unavailable for selection. Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram also missed out, having just returned for his club from injury.
Matters were made worse when Tottenham Hotspur forward Kolo Muani was forced to withdraw from the squad due to picking up a jaw injury in the draw with Manchester United. Florian Thauvin, who scored in the win over Azerbaijan last month after a six-year absence from international duty, has been called up to replace the Spurs striker.
The visitors will be without Volodymyr Brazhko and Arseniy Batagov due to injury, with the Dynamo forward and Trabzonspor defender being replaced by Yegor Nazaryna and Taras Mykhavko.
There could also be a debut for goalkeeper Yevhen Volynets, while Oleksandr Karavayev has been called back up to the squad for the first time since 2023.
Key stats
Both sides know how to find the back of the net, with France averaging 2.3 goals per game in qualifying and Ukraine averaging 2.
However, France are tighter at the back. Les Bleus have conceded less than a goal per game on average, while Ukraine have conceded 1.8.
Kylian Mbappe has three goals and two assists in three qualifiers.
Ruslan Malinovskyi made an instant impact when returning to the Ukraine squad last month, scoring twice against Iceland and scoring and assisting against Azerbaijan.
Prediction
With the chance to book their place at the 2026 World Cup, France are likely going to seize this opportunity with both hands.
There are glaring holes in Ukraine’s defence, and with Mbappe in red-hot form for both club and country, this should be another comfortable win for Les Bleus.
