Forward of this encounter, Softfootball understands that for the French Nationwide Staff, the job is easy: win on dwelling soil and safe one in all Europe’s earliest tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and that second comes on Thursday as they host the Ukraine nationwide soccer workforce on the Parc des Princes in Paris.
France presently sit atop Group D with 10 factors, and a win would seal their place within the event. They are going to be hoping to keep away from any additional slip-ups, particularly after that 2-2 draw towards Iceland. Ukraine, in the meantime, path by three factors and should pull off a outcome right here to revive their very own hopes of a top-two end.
The temper within the French camp could be very electrical, with France providing a glimpse of their coaching session through the workforce’s official X account.
Watch the video under:
Staff Information
France’s squad is lacking some acquainted faces: Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué stay sidelined, whereas midfielders Adrien Rabiot and Aurélien Tchouaméni are additionally unavailable. Nevertheless, supervisor Didier Deschamps has referred to as again N’Golo Kanté into the fold as cowl in midfield.
On the Ukrainian aspect, Oleksandr Zinchenko is dominated out with a groin harm, whereas veteran ahead Artem Dovbyk is uncertain. Their supervisor, Sergiy Rebrov is relying on Ruslan Malinovskyi, who scored three targets in October’s qualifiers, to spark a shock.
Potential Lineups
France (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Digne; Kone, Kante; Barcola, Olise, Mbappe; Mateta
Ukraine (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Konoplya, Zabarnyi, Matviyenko, Mykolenko; Shaparenko, Malinovskyi; Yaremchuk, Ocheretko, Voloshyn; Vanat
France holds all of the playing cards: unbeaten at dwelling towards Ukraine (W4, D2) and already beat them 2-0 away earlier this marketing campaign with targets from Michael Olise and Kylian Mbappe. Their attacking numbers are robust , they’ve scored 2+ targets of their final seven internationals and repeatedly discover the online after the hour mark. Ukraine, although bettering, have by no means scored greater than as soon as in a visit to France and a win right here appears to be like a tall order.
Prediction: France 3-1 Ukraine
Anticipate France to dominate possession and territory, and Ukraine to attempt to hit on the counter. Mbappé threatens the France goal-scoring report, as France has the expertise, the platform, and the house crowd; the ticket to the World Cup is inside arm’s attain.
