France’s hopes of securing early qualification for the 2026 World Cup were dashed after being held to a 2-2 draw by Iceland in Reykjavik on Monday, ending their perfect start in the European qualifiers.
The two-time world champions, who had won their first three Group D matches, could have booked their ticket to the tournament with a win if Ukraine had failed to beat Azerbaijan. But Ukraine edged a 2-1 victory, leaving France three points clear at the top with 10 points.
France were without captain Kylian Mbappé, who scored in Friday’s 3-0 win over Azerbaijan but suffered a right ankle injury.
Iceland took the lead through Victor Palsson in the 39th minute, before Christopher Nkunku and Jean-Philippe Mateta struck in the 63rd and 68th minutes to turn the match around for France. However, Kristian Hlynsson equalized for Iceland just moments later.
The result leaves Iceland with four points from four matches, while Azerbaijan remains bottom with one.
In Group B, Switzerland also missed the chance to secure qualification after a goalless draw with Slovenia. Switzerland would have sealed their place had they won and Kosovo failed to beat Sweden. However, Kosovo triumphed 1-0 to move within three points of Switzerland, who lead the group with 10. Slovenia sit on three points, while Sweden, still winless, have one.
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak missed three clear chances for hosts Sweden in the defeat.
According to the new qualifying format, 12 group winners will qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup. The 12 runners-up will join four top-ranked Nations League group winners in playoffs, with 16 teams competing for the remaining four European spots through single-leg semifinals and finals in March 2026.
Elsewhere, Germany edged Northern Ireland 1-0 in Belfast with Nick Woltemade scoring in the first half, keeping them level with Slovakia atop Group A with nine points each. Slovakia defeated Luxembourg 2-0.
Belgium, meanwhile, rallied from behind to beat Wales 4-2 in Cardiff thanks to two penalty goals from Kevin De Bruyne. The match saw an unusual moment when play was briefly halted as a rat entered the field. Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois tried to catch it, but Wales forward Brennan Johnson eventually chased it off to the delight of the crowd.
Belgium now leads Group J with 14 points, one ahead of North Macedonia and three clear of Wales. North Macedonia earlier drew 1-1 with Kazakhstan.
“I’m proud of the boys,” said Wales captain Ben Davies, who earned his 100th cap. “We made Belgium respect us and play on the counterattack — that doesn’t happen too often. It’s another big learning step for a young team.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the first edition featuring an expanded 48-team format, up from 32.
Source:AP