The French national team, which is a competitor of Ukraine in the 2026 World Cup qualification alongside Azerbaijan and Iceland, lost to Spain in the semifinals and will play for third place in the Nations League 2024/2025.

Under Didier Deschamps, the French team met Spain in Stuttgart in the semifinals of the Nations League. The French made use of Mbappé and Cherki's efforts, with Cherki scoring a brace, as well as an own goal by Vivian, to score four goals against their opponents. However, they conceded five goals in return. As a result, the Spanish national team advanced to the final.

Nations League 2024/2025. Semifinals

Spain — France — 5:4 (2:0)

Goals: Williams (22), Merino (25), Yamal (54, from penalty, 67), Pedri (55) — Mbappé (59, from penalty), Cherki (79, 90+4), Vivian (84, own goal).

France: Menyan, Kalulu (Gusto, 63), Konaté, Langlais (L. Hernandez, 72), T. Hernandez, Kone, Rabio, Dembélé (Kolo-Muani, 76), Olise (Cherki, 64), Duy (Barklya, 63), Mbappé.

On Sunday, the French national team will play for third place in the Nations League against Germany. 

2026 World Cup Qualification. UEFA Zone. First Round

Group A: Germany, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg.

Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo.

Group C: Denmark, Greece, Scotland, Belarus.

Group D: France, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan.

Group E: Spain, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria.

Group F: Portugal, Hungary, Ireland, Armenia.

Group G: Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta.

Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino.

Group I: Italy, Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova.

Group J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein.

Group K: England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra.

Group L: Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar.

Schedule of Group D

Round 1. September 5, 2025

Ukraine — France 9:45 PM

Iceland — Azerbaijan 9:45 PM

Round 2. September 9, 2025

Azerbaijan — Ukraine 1:00 PM

France — Iceland 9:45 PM

Round 3. October 10, 2025

Iceland — Ukraine 9:45 PM

France — Azerbaijan 9:45 PM

Round 4. October 13, 2025

Ukraine — Azerbaijan 9:45 PM

Iceland — France 9:45 PM

Round 5. November 13, 2025

Azerbaijan — Iceland 1:00 PM

France — Ukraine 9:45 PM

Round 6. November 16, 2025

Ukraine — Iceland 1:00 PM

Azerbaijan — France 1:00 PM

Kiev time.

UEFA (Europe): 16 spots.

The European qualification will take place from March 2025 to March 2026 and consist of two rounds. Teams will compete for 16 spots at the World Cup.

Round 1: Twelve groups with five or four teams each will play between March and November 2025 in a traditional group stage system. The twelve group winners will receive direct tickets to the final stage.

The twelve teams that finish second, along with the four best group winners of the UEFA Nations League 2024/2025 who finish below second place in the European qualification group stage, will participate in knockout mini-tournaments.

Round 2: Knockout mini-tournaments in March 2026 will consist of one-legged semifinals and finals. The sixteen participants will be divided into four playoff paths. Four winners will receive tickets to the 2026 World Cup.

AFC (Asia): 8 spots + 1 place in intercontinental playoffs.

CAF (Africa): 9 spots + 1 place in intercontinental playoffs.

CONCACAF (North and Central America): 3 tournament hosts + 3 spots + 2 places in intercontinental playoffs.

CONMEBOL (South America): 6 spots + 1 place in intercontinental playoffs.

OFC (Oceania): 1 spot + 1 place in intercontinental playoffs.

Intercontinental Playoffs: 2 spots.

2026 World Cup. Final Tournament

The 2026 World Cup will be the first in history to feature 48 national teams in the final stage, divided into twelve groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group and eight best third-placed teams advance to the round of 16.

Matches of the 23rd World Cup will take place in sixteen cities. These are: in Canada — Toronto and Vancouver, in Mexico — Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey, in the USA — Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle.

The opening match of the World Cup will take place on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City, while the final will be held in New York on July 19.

Final Tournament Schedule for the 2026 World Cup