France vs Ukraine preview, prediction, team news, and head-to-head

Les Bleus will come into this fixture with one task in mind, and that is to beat Ukraine and qualify for the global football tournament next year. Their visitors can also be in the race with a win from this fixture.

France is top of the World Cup qualification group D table with 10 points from 4 games (3W,1D). Their only setback in this campaign so far came in a 2-2 draw against Iceland, after they had thrown away a lead in that match.

A win in this fixture will not only extend their lead on the qualification table but also help them seal a ticket for the 2026 World Cup. Under the guidance of Didier Deschamps, the 2018 winners will be on the verge of featuring in an eighth successive WC appearances.

Ukraine, a team that has not featured in the World Cup since 2006, will hope to secure a shocking win from this fixture for a chance to top the group. Serhiy Rebrov's men are second on the table with three points adrift of the leaders.

The visitors are on a three-game unbeaten streak, with a last 2-1 win against Azerbaijan. A win in this fixture will provide them with a chance to secure an automatic qualification should they complete this campaign as the table leaders.

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Both nations have met 13 times, and in those meetings, France has had a better head-to-head with 7 wins (5D, 1L). Ukraine has not been able to beat their host on French soil (D2, L4).

A win is very likely in this fixture, especially as the last time they met in Ukraine, Les Blues won the match 2-0. The host is yet to lose a game in this qualification campaign.

France vs Ukraine team news

Deschamps will field a team without PSG duo Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue due to injuries when they face Ukraine in this fixture. However, France's leading goal scorer and captain, Kylian Mbappe is back and will be available to lead the team, after missing out on the match against Iceland.

The French coach has a lot of options up front, including Michael Olise, Christopher Nkunku, Hugo Ekitike, and Kingsley Coman, who are all available.

Arsenal loanee Oleksandr Zinchenko is the prominent absentee for the Ukrainian side. He picked up a groin injury and is still recovering.

However, Serhiy Rebrov will be delighted that Ruslan Malinovskyi is fit and available to face France. The striker has been instrumental to the team, especially with his three-goal contributions across the October international window.

France: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba,, Digne; Kante, Kone, Olise, Barcola, Mbappe; Mateta

Ukraine: Trubin; Konoplya, Matviyenko, Zabarnyi, Mykolenko; Malinovsky, Shaparenko, Yaremchuk, Ocheretko, Voloshyn; Vanat

A win in this fixture for France will ensure their automatic qualification to the World Cup 2026 finals. The French sides are heavy favourites, and with their attack quality, they should easily overcome the Ukrainian defense.

We expect goals from this fixture, especially from Les Blues, as the last time they failed to score was in 2013. The last game between these two teams ended 2-0 in favour of France, even without Mbappe, who has been consistently scoring goals.

Prediction: France 3-0 Ukraine

• France to win

• Over 2.5

• Mbappe to score