France qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and beats Ukraine 4-0

Kylian Mbappe hit a brace, while Michael Olise and Hugo Ekitike also scored as France beat Ukraine 4-0 on Thursday to secure World Cup qualification after an evening marked by tributes to the victims of the 2015 Paris attacks.

Captain Mbappe scored coolly from the spot 10 minutes into the second half at the Parc des Princes and the impressive Olise doubled their lead after 76 minutes.

Mbappe then struck again and Ekitike scored a first goal for his country as France secured the victory needed to clinch their place in the 2026 final.

Before kick-off, a minute’s silence was immaculately observed by the 41,000 spectators as France celebrated the tenth anniversary of the attacks in and around Paris on Friday, November 13, 2015.

Most of the 130 people killed in the attacks were killed at the capital’s Bataclan concert hall, where they were attending a concert.

But one person died near the Stade de France in the northern Paris suburb of Saint-Denis, where several explosions occurred when suicide bombers tried to enter the ground during a friendly match between Les Bleus and Germany.

Didier Deschamps was the coach then and is still in charge now, with the upcoming World Cup being his last tournament before he steps down.

With one match remaining in Azerbaijan on Sunday, France has an unassailable six-point lead over both Iceland and Ukraine at the top of European qualifying Group D.

France, World Cup winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, maintain the record of reaching every edition of the tournament since missing out on a place in the United States in 1994.

While the country can look forward to the draw for the final, which will take place in Washington DC on December 5, Ukraine and Iceland will meet in a shoot-out on Sunday to decide which team will advance to the play-offs in March next year.

Ekitike off target

France’s only mistake in qualifying was a draw in Iceland last month, although the country has rarely found its best during a quiet season.

Mbappe and Olise were having a great time here at Paris Saint-Germain’s home ground, while Bradley Barcola came closest to scoring in the first half with a curling effort from outside the area that hit the woodwork and behind a corner.

Real Madrid superstar Mbappe, the France captain, then scored from the spot to open the scoring early in the second half after Olise was fouled in the penalty area.

Olise, from Bayern Munich, really came into his own after moving from the right to a more central role.

Shortly after Ekitike hit the post, Olise turned and fired home France’s second goal, with Ukraine conceding towards the end.

Mbappe scored from close range in the 83rd minute after Ekitike was denied, taking him to 55 goals for his country and within two of top scorer Olivier Giroud’s all-time total of 57.

Liverpool’s Ekitike then completed a fine move to round off the win with his first senior international goal.

Published on November 14, 2025