For Didier Deschamps’ men, everything will depend on their double clash (March 20-23) against Croatia in the quarter-final of the League of Nations. If the former world champions dominate the Croats, they will compete in the Tournament Final in June. And group D will inherit four teams, with matches from September to November 2025 against Ukraine, Iceland, and Azerbaijan.
If, on the other hand, the French eliminate the Croatians, they will land in a group of five teams, the L, and start their qualifying campaign in June. On their way, the Czech Republic, Montenegro, the Faroe Islands and Gibraltar.
In both cases, France would start as the clear favorite to finish first and secure one of the twelve European places that qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup. worse, the Blues are certain, with their status as the first group of the Nations League, to play the play-offs at least in March 2026.
The qualifying groups for the 2026 World Cup
Group A
Winner of Italy-Germany, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg
Group B
Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo
Group C
Portugal-denmark, Greece, Scotland, Belarus won
Group D
France-Croatia winnerukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan
Group E
Winner of Spain-Netherlands, Türkiye, Georgia, Bulgaria
Group F
Winner of portugal-Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, Armenia
Group G
Won by Spain-Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta
Group H
Austria, Romania, Bosnia, Cyprus, San Marino
Group I
He won Italy-Germany, Norway, Israel, Estonia, moldova
Group J
Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein
Group K
England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra
Group L
France-Croatia wonCzech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar
