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

Iceland

39': Victor Palsson
70': Kristian Hlynsson

FT
2 - 2

France

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
+6	France	4	10	0
+1	Ukraine	4	7	1
+2	Iceland	4	4	2
-9	Azerbaijan	4	1	3

Full Table

Statistics

FRA		ISL
12	Fouls	16
1	Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	0
1	Offsides	1
9	Corner Kicks	0
0	Saves	6
69.7	Possession	30.3
20	SHOTS	4
9	ON GOAL	2
0.5	On Target %	0.5
0	Penalty Goals	0
0	Penalty Kicks Taken	0
655	Accurate Passes	248
716	Passes	320
0.9	Pass Completion %	0.8
7	Accurate Crosses	1
44	Crosses	4
0.2	Cross %	0.3
40	Long Balls	50
26	Accurate Long Balls	18
0.7	Long Balls %	0.4
3	Blocked Shots	1
5	Effective Tackles	4
5	Tackles	13
1.0	Tackle %	0.3
9	Interceptions	10
14	Effective Clearances	47
14	Clearances	47

Line-Ups

Iceland (5-3-2)

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

Substitutes:

Mikkel Anderson, Brynjólfur Darri Willumsson, Aron Gunnarsson, Stefán Teitur Thórdarson, Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson, Hákon Rafn Valdimarsson, Kristian Hlynsson, Gísli Thórdarson, Bjarki Steinn Bjarkason, Anton Ari Einarsson, Andri Fannar Baldursson, Thorir Johann Helgason.

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
8	Manu Koné
13	Jean-Philippe Mateta
18	Christopher Nkunku
20	Florian Thauvin

Substitutes:

Adrien Rabiot, Malo Gusto, Khephren Thuram, Kingsley Coman, Lucas Chevalier, Theo Hernández, Lucas Hernández, Benjamin Pavard, Maghnes Akliouche, Brice Samba, Hugo Ekitike.