PREDICTION: France Eye Qualification Party as Ukraine Arrive in Paris

Les Bleus One Win Away

France are just one victory from sealing their ticket to North America. Didier Deschamps’s men face Ukraine at the Parc des Princes on Thursday night knowing three points will guarantee first place in Group D and secure their spot at the 2026 World Cup.

The French are unbeaten in five matches since their dramatic Nations League exit to Spain, collecting four wins and a draw along the way. Last month’s 2-2 result in Iceland ended their perfect run, but it did little to shake their dominance in qualifying.

Now, in front of a home crowd in Paris, France will look to finish the job in style. They have won four of their last five home games and haven’t lost on French soil since September 2024.

Mbappé Carries the Load

Injuries have hit Deschamps’s squad hard. PSG stars Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué are both unavailable, and Randal Kolo Muani has withdrawn after suffering a jaw injury.

That leaves Kylian Mbappé as the key man once again. The Real Madrid forward is in blistering form with 18 goals in 16 games this season, and his presence gives France a decisive edge.

With Adrien Rabiot and Aurélien Tchouaméni also missing, N’Golo Kanté returns to the fold, offering experience and balance in midfield. Meanwhile, Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki and Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta have both been called up to strengthen the attack.

Ukraine Still Believing

Ukraine arrive in Paris with quiet confidence. Since losing to France earlier in the campaign, Sergiy Rebrov’s men have gone unbeaten in their last three qualifiers, including back-to-back wins over Iceland and Azerbaijan.

Ruslan Malinovskyi has rediscovered his scoring touch, netting three times in two qualifiers, while Ukraine’s defensive discipline has kept them in the hunt for a playoff spot. A draw could be enough to secure second place and a chance to qualify next March.

However, they will be without striker Artem Dovbyk, who is sidelined with a hip injury.

Prediction

France’s strength in depth and home advantage should be too much for Ukraine. Expect a focused and professional performance from Les Bleus.

France 2-0 Ukraine
Deschamps’s side book their ticket to the 2026 World Cup with a game to spare.

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