France conclude their Group D campaign in UEFA’s World Cup qualifying section this month.
Long-serving head coach Didier Deschamps has overseen an undefeated run through four games so far, leaving Les Bleus well-placed to book a spot in North America next year.
Deschamps has led France to the final of the past two tournaments in Russia and Qatar respectively, with Kylian Mbappe keen to lead another charge for football’s biggest prize.
The Sporting News examines the state of play of France’s qualification hopes.
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Have France qualified for World Cup 2026?
As of matchday five in UEFA Group D, France are strong favourites to secure automatic qualification to the World Cup, but they are yet to do so.
They are top of the standings with 10 points from four matches.
Victory over second-placed Ukraine in Paris on November 13 would make sure of a first-placed finish and progress to the 2026 tournament.
Michael Olise and Kylian Mbappe got the goals when France beat Ukraine 2-0 in their opening qualifier.
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France World Cup qualifying results, fixtures
France have two games left in Group D:
- Thursday, November 13: France vs. Ukraine
- Sunday, November 16: Azerbaijan vs. France
France World Cup 2026 qualifying results
| Date | Match | Venue |
| September 5, 2025 | Ukraine 0-2 France | Worclaw Stadium (Worclaw, Poland) |
| September 9, 2025 | France 2-1 Iceland | Parc des Princes (Paris, France) |
| October 10, 2025 | France 3-0 Azerbaijan | Parc des Princes (Paris, France) |
| October 13, 2025 | Iceland 2-2 France | Laugardalsvöllur (Reykjavik, Iceland) |
| November 13, 2025 | France vs. Ukraine | Parc des Princes (Paris, France) |
| November 16, 2025 | Azerbaijan vs. France | San Siro (Milan, Italy) |
France World Cup record
France have won the FIFA World Cup twice in 1998 and 2018. They have been one of the most competitive nations of the modern era and finished as runners-up in 2006 and 2022 – losing on penalties on both occasions.
Les Bleus have qualified for 16 of the 22 tournaments in history. They did not qualify for the two editions immediately before their first success in 1998.
In 1938, France became the first host nation not to win the World Cup after Uruguay and Italy’s successes in 1930 and 1934 respectively
France record at the World Cup
| Year | Stage reached | Host nation |
| 1930 | Group stage | Uruguay |
| 1934 | Round of 16 | Italy |
| 1938 | Quarterfinals | France |
| 1950 | Did not qualify | Brazil |
| 1954 | Group stage | Switzerland |
| 1958 | Third place | Sweden |
| 1962 | Did not qualify | Chile |
| 1966 | Group stage | England |
| 1970 | Did not qualify | Mexico |
| 1974 | Did not qualify | West Germany |
| 1978 | Group stage | Argentina |
| 1982 | Fourth place | Spain |
| 1986 | Third place | Mexico |
| 1990 | Did not qualify | Italy |
| 1994 | Did not qualify | United States |
| 1998 | Won | France |
| 2002 | Group stage | Japan and South Korea |
| 2006 | Runners-up | Germany |
| 2010 | Group stage | South Africa |
| 2014 | Quarterfinals | Brazil |
| 2018 | Won | Russia |
| 2022 | Runners-up | Qatar |
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France World Cup schedule
Should they qualify, France’s 2026 schedule will not be known until the World Cup draw, when the six groups are decided and pathways to the final become clearer.
When is the World Cup draw?
The draw for the 2026 World Cup takes place in Washington, D.C. on Friday, December 5.
The ceremony is due to start at 12 p.m. local time (ET).
