France boss Deschamps is happy with the team that is leaving due to a lack of big names

Jean-Philippe Mateta and Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike can provide France with more attacking options as they prepare for next year’s World Cup, manager Didier Deschamps said after their 3-1 win over Azerbaijan in a qualifier on Sunday.

Having already qualified with a 4–0 win over Ukraine, France played a second-string side in Baku but managed to overcome a nervous start to earn a win and top Group D with 16 points from six games.

Goals from Crystal Palace’s Mateta and AS Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche – plus an own goal from Shakhruddin Magomedaliyev – helped them recover from Renat Dadashov’s fourth-minute opener.

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“We average just over two goals per game, which is very good,” said Deschamps. «Mateta made only his second ever start and he scored a beautiful header. So that’s great for us and for him.»

“Ekitike is also gaining confidence. He is a young player with a lot of dynamism and he was able to express himself with his stamina to move around the pitch and his ability to penetrate with his speed.

“So it’s two more pieces to consider on the offensive side of the ball going forward.”

The 2026 World Cup in North America will be France’s seventeenth appearance in the competition, which the country last won in 2018.

Published on November 17, 2025