France will look to maintain their perfect start in Group D when they host Azerbaijan on Friday. Les Bleus top the table with six points from two games, while the visitors sit bottom with just one point from their opening fixtures.
France have made a strong start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, collecting maximum points despite not being at their fluent best.
A 2-0 win over Ukraine was followed by a hard-fought 2-1 comeback against Iceland, where Kylian Mbappe and Bradley Barcola found the net after an early setback. Didier Deschamps’ side sit top of Group D with six points from two games and will be eager to build momentum as they aim for a third straight victory.
Azerbaijan, meanwhile, endured a mixed start to their campaign, suffering a heavy 5-0 defeat to Iceland before earning a commendable 1-1 draw against Ukraine. That result offered a glimpse of resilience under interim coach Aykhan Abbasov, who took charge following Fernando Santos’ departure.
With just one point so far, the National Team remain bottom of Group D and face a daunting task as they travel to meet group leaders France.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the weekly schedule.
France vs. Azerbaijan live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this World Cup qualifier in the U.S.:
TV channel: Fox Sports 2
Live stream: Fubo, FOX One, Foxsports.com, FOX Sports App
This game is available for live TV broadcast in the English Language on Fox Sports 2. Streaming options are available on FOX One, Foxsports.com, FOX Sports App and Fubo.
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What time does France vs. Azerbaijan kick off?
This World Cup qualifier takes place at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France and kicks off on Friday, October 10 at 8:45 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Fri, Oct. 10 | 2:45 p.m. |
| Central Time | Fri, Oct. 10 | 1:45 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Fri, Oct. 10 | 12:45 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Fri, Oct. 10 | 11:45 a.m. |
France vs. Azerbaijan lineups, team news
France will have to make several changes for their upcoming clash, with Aurelien Tchouameni suspended after his red card against Iceland.
Injuries to Bradley Barcola, Marcus Thuram, and Ousmane Dembele further limit Didier Deschamps’ options, forcing a reshuffle in attack.
Adrien Rabiot is likely to slot into midfield, while Kingsley Coman and Hugo Ekitike could join Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise in a reworked frontline.
France predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Maignan (GK) — Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, T. Hernandez — Rabiot, Kone — Coman, Ekitike, Olise — Mbappe.
Injured: Barcola, Thuram, Dembele
Suspended: Tchouameni
Azerbaijan, meanwhile, are expected to stick with a familiar setup and a defensive back five to contain the French attack.
Renat Dadashov and Mahir Emreli should continue to lead the line, supported by captain Emin Mahmudov, who is set to earn his 55th cap.
Anatolii Nuriiev is also pushing for inclusion, while Rahman Dashdamirov may be preferred at right wing-back.
Azerbaijan predicted XI (5-3-2 right to left): Mahammadaliyev (GK) — Dashdamirov, Badalov, Mustafazada, Krivotsyuk, Aliyev — Khaybulaev, Mahmudov, Nuriiev — Emreli, Dadashov.
Injured: None
Suspended: None
World Cup Qualifying schedule this week
Thursday, October 9
- Finland vs. Lithuania (12 p.m. ET)
- Belarus vs. Denmark (2:45 p.m. ET)
- Scotland vs. Greece (2:45 p.m. ET)
- Malta vs. Netherlands (2:45 p.m. ET)
- Austria vs. San Marino (2:45 p.m. ET)
- Cyprus vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina (2:45 p.m. ET)
- Czech Republic vs. Croatia (2:45 p.m. ET)
- Faroe Islands vs. Montenegro (2:45 p.m. ET)
Friday, October 10
- Kazakhstan vs. Liechtenstein (10 a.m. ET)
- Northern Ireland vs. Slovakia (2:45 p.m. ET)
- Germany vs. Luxembourg (2:45 p.m. ET)
- Kosovo vs. Slovenia (2:45 p.m. ET)
- Sweden vs. Switzerland (2:45 p.m. ET)
- Iceland vs. Ukraine (2:45 p.m. ET)
- France vs. Azerbaijan (2:45 p.m. ET)
- Belgium vs. North Macedonia (2:45 p.m. ET)
Saturday, October 11
- Latvia vs. Andorra (9:00 a.m. ET)
- Norway vs. Israel (12 p.m. ET)
- Hungary vs. Armenia (12 p.m. ET)
- Bulgaria vs. Turkey (2:45 p.m. ET)
- Spain vs. Georgia (2:45 p.m. ET)
- Portugal vs. Ireland (2:45 p.m. ET)
- Estonia vs. Italy (2:45 p.m. ET)
- Serbia vs. Albania (2:45 p.m. ET)
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