did france qualify for world cup 2026

2 min read 14-03-2025

France's World Cup 2026 Qualification: Still to Come

No, France has not yet qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The qualification process for the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is still underway. The qualifying matches will begin later in 2023 and continue through 2025.

The Road to Qualification: How France Will Compete

France, as a major footballing nation, is expected to compete strongly in the qualification rounds. Their qualification journey will involve a series of matches against other European teams. The exact opponents and match schedule will be determined by the UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) draw.

Understanding the Qualification Process

The qualification process for the 2026 World Cup differs slightly from previous tournaments. With an expanded format featuring 48 teams instead of 32, more nations will have a chance to participate. This means a more complex qualifying system.

UEFA Qualifying Groups

UEFA will likely divide European nations into several groups for the qualifying stage. France will be placed in a group based on their FIFA ranking and other factors. They will then play a series of home and away matches against the other teams in their group.

Playoff Round (Likely)

After the group stage, the top-performing teams will automatically qualify for the World Cup. Those finishing slightly lower may compete in a playoff round for remaining qualification spots.

France's Chances: Strong Contenders

Given their history of success and the consistent strength of their national team, France is considered a strong favorite to qualify. They boast a squad filled with talented players from top European clubs, including many players from the team that won the 2018 World Cup.

Key Players to Watch

France's success will rely on the continued brilliance of key players like Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, and others. The emergence of new talent will also be crucial for their campaign.

Predicting the Outcome

While predicting the future is impossible, all signs point toward France's qualification being highly probable. Their established talent, strong football infrastructure, and experienced coaching staff position them well for success in the qualifiers.

Conclusion: France's World Cup 2026 Journey Begins

The question of whether France will qualify for the 2026 World Cup is not yet definitively answered. The qualification campaign has yet to begin. However, given their history and current strength, they are strong contenders and are highly likely to secure a place in the tournament. Keep an eye on the UEFA qualifying schedule for updates!