FIFA World Cup Qualifying - UEFA

Iceland vs France 2026 World Cup Qualifying - UEFA, Group Stage

  • 39': Victor Palsson
  • 70': Kristian Hlynsson
FT
2 - 2
  • 63': Christopher Nkunku
  • 68': Jean-Philippe Mateta

France edge toward World Cup place despite Iceland draw

France were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw by Iceland in Reykjavik but edged a step closer to securing World Cup qualification.

Match Commentary

  • 39': Goal! Iceland 1, France 0. Victor Pálsson (Iceland) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner following a set piece situation.
  • 45'+2': Substitution, Iceland. Brynjólfur Willumsson replaces Sævar Magnússon because of an injury.
  • 45'+5': First Half ends, Iceland 1, France 0.
  • 45': Substitution, Iceland. Kristian Hlynsson replaces Daníel Gudjohnsen.
  • 45': Second Half begins Iceland 1, France 0.
  • 56': Eduardo Camavinga (France) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
  • 60': Logi Tómasson (Iceland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
  • 62': Substitution, Iceland. Jón Dagur Thorsteinsson replaces Logi Tómasson.
  • 63': Goal! Iceland 1, France 1. Christopher Nkunku (France) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Lucas Digne.
  • 64': Substitution, France. Maghnes Akliouche replaces Florian Thauvin.
  • 68': Goal! Iceland 1, France 2. Jean-Philippe Mateta (France) right footed shot from very close range to the top right corner. Assisted by Maghnes Akliouche.
  • 70': Goal! Iceland 2, France 2. Kristian Hlynsson (Iceland) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Albert Gudmundsson.
  • 74': Substitution, France. Kingsley Coman replaces Christopher Nkunku.
  • 75': Substitution, France. Khéphren Thuram replaces Eduardo Camavinga.
  • 85': Substitution, Iceland. Stefán Thórdarson replaces Albert Gudmundsson.
  • 85': Substitution, Iceland. Mikael Anderson replaces Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson.
  • 89': Substitution, France. Hugo Ekitiké replaces Jean-Philippe Mateta.
  • 90'+6': Second Half ends, Iceland 2, France 2.

Game Information

Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifying - UEFA

Venue: Laugardalsvöllur
Location: Reykjavik, Iceland
Attendance: 9,151

FIFA World Cup Qualifying - UEFA Standings

POS TEAM GP GD PTS
+12 France 6 16 0
-1 Ukraine 6 10 2
+2 Iceland 6 7 3
-13 Azerbaijan 6 1 5
Full Table

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/countries/500/fra.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originFRA ISLhttps://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/countries/500/isl.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=origin
12 Fouls 16
1 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
1 Offsides 1
9 Corner Kicks 0
0 Saves 6
69.9 Possession 30.1
20 SHOTS 4
9 ON GOAL 2
0.5 On Target % 0.5
0 Penalty Goals 0
0 Penalty Kicks Taken 0
654 Accurate Passes 247
717 Passes 317
0.9 Pass Completion % 0.8
7 Accurate Crosses 1
44 Crosses 4
0.2 Cross % 0.3
41 Long Balls 48
27 Accurate Long Balls 17
0.7 Long Balls % 0.4
3 Blocked Shots 1
6 Effective Tackles 5
6 Tackles 13
1.0 Tackle % 0.4
9 Interceptions 10
13 Effective Clearances 49
13 Clearances 49

Line-Ups

ISL Iceland (5-3-2)

No. Name
1 Elias Ólafsson (GK)
5 Sverrir Ingason
3 Daniel Grétarsson
4 Victor Palsson
2 Logi Tomasson Yellow Card
23 Mikael Ellertsson
8 Ísak Jóhannesson
10 Albert Gudmundsson
7 Hakon Arnar Haraldsson
21 Daniel Gudjohnsen
9 Saevar Atli Magnússon

FRA France (4-2-3-1)

No. Name
16 Mike Maignan (GK)
4 Dayot Upamecano
17 William Saliba
3 Lucas Digne
5 Jules Koundé
11 Michael Olise
6 Eduardo Camavinga Yellow Card
8 Manu Koné
13 Jean-Philippe Mateta
18 Christopher Nkunku
20 Florian Thauvin

WCQ - UEFA News

2026 World Cup draw: How Ireland are involved without qualifying yet

2026 World Cup draw: How Ireland are involved without qualifying yet

The Republic of Ireland are yet to book their place at the 2026 World Cup, but that doesn't mean they can't play a part in Friday's group-stage draw.