France play their final game of 2025 and their successful 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign by visiting Azerbaijan on Sunday.
Captain Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Les Bleus thrashed Ukraine 4-0 at home on Thursday to seal their spot at the finals in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Azerbaijan have one point and will finish bottom of the group, having lost 2-0 at home to Iceland three days ago.
101GreatGoals.com has the full team news from the international between Azerbaijan and France in 2026 World Cup qualifying.
Azerbaijan starting lineup vs France
Toral Bayramov has left Azerbaijan’s squad through injury, as has fellow Qarabag defender Elvin Jafarguliyev because of a fever.
“We have players missing, but I believe we will compete well with the support of the fans,” said coach h Aykhan Abbasov:
“Games against such teams may be important for our future. We want to win points when we prepare to play against any opponents.
“Everything is possible in football. We will try to please our fans.”
Azerbaijan starting XI: Magomedaliyev, Badalov, Mustafazade, Krivotsyuk, Dashdamirov, Makhmudov, Khaibulaev, Nuriyev, Dadasov, G.Aliyev, K.Aliyev
Azerbaijan substitutes: To follow
France starting lineup vs Azerbaijan
Paris Saint-Germain forwards Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, Tottenham striker Randal Kolo Muani, Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot and Real Madrid counterpart Aurelien Tchouameni are sidelined for France.
Mbappe has returned to Real Madrid with ankle swelling. “The players who are here will be looking to win,” said coach Didier Deschamps.
“That is something we have to do. Our opponents will give it everything they have got. The players will have to manage that.”
France starting XI: Chevalier,Gusto, Konate, L. Hernandez, T. Hernandez, Akliouche, Zaire-Emery, K. Thuram, Nkunku, Ekitike, Mateta
France substitutes: To follow
How to watch Azerbaijan vs France: TV and online streams
Albania vs England kicks off on Sunday at 17:00 GMT (12:00 ET / 09:00 PT), with live coverage in the UK on Amazon Prime PPV, which charges £2.49 for the game.
France squad vs Azerbaijan
Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (PSG), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Rennes)
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Theo Hernandez (Al-Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), N’Golo Kante (Al-Ittihad), Manu Kone (Roma), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG).
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool), Randal Kolo Muani (Tottenham), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Christopher Nkunku (Milan).
When is the draw for the 2026 World Cup finals?
The draw for the World Cup finals will take place on December 5 2025 at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, with the ceremony starting at 17:00 GMT (12:00 ET/ 09:00 PT).
The tournament runs from June 11 until July 19 2026.
2026 World Cup playoffs dates
The top team from each of the 12 European Qualifier groups proceeds automatically to the finals, which will be expanded to 48 teams.
The 12 runners-up in each group will join four Nations League teams in the two-legged play-off ties, which will be drawn from pots based on teams’ records during the campaign and take place on March 26 and 31 2026.
