France assured their place in the last four of the UEFA Nations League thanks to a penalty shoot-out victory over Croatia (2-0, AGG. 2-2, pens 6-4) in the Stade de France on Sunday. It is a result that also has consequences for their FIFA World Cup qualification group.
The Nations League victory on Croatia not only prepares a date with Spain in the semi-final of the competition in June, but it also means that the qualification group of France is confirmed. Les Bleus is placed in a group with Ukraine, Iceland and Azerbaijan.
Of the three are Ukraine (25th in the FIFA ranking) the highest ranked of the upcoming opponents of France, then Iceland (70th) and eventually Azerbaijan (117th). France will get their campaign going with an away game against Ukraine (probably played on a neutral ground) on 5 September with the last match of the campaign Weg to Azerbaijan on November 16.
Les Bleus will be looking to be eligible for the FIFA World Cup 2026, in what is confirmed as the last tournament of Didier Deschamps responsible for Les Bleus. By the time he leaves the position, he will have been in charge of the national team for 14 years.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
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