France qualify for World Cup as Portugal, Norway are forced to wait

PARIS – France kept celebrations restrained after qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Nov 13 with a 4-0 home win over Ukraine, with captain Kylian Mbappe saying the emotional weight of the evening – the 10th anniversary of the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris – mattered more than the result.

Coach Didier Deschamps also underlined that reaching the Finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico was simply where Les Bleus are expected to be.

Mbappe, whose two goals included a penalty that put France in control, said: “Very proud to be there, even if it wasn’t the most important thing of the evening – the most important part was the commemoration.”

Deschamps said the performance was not spectacular, but enough to complete the mission.

“Always appreciate the good moments, even if it seems natural for the France team to qualify,” the 57-year-old said.

“The objective was to qualify here tonight in a heavy, weighty context. The first half was difficult against a low block.

“I enjoy it, even if it’s not the first time – the France team has to be there at every major tournament.”

In other key qualifiers, Portugal were made to wait after losing 2-0 to Ireland in Dublin as Cristiano Ronaldo saw red.

Norway must also be patient after Italy struck late in Moldova to prevent them from stamping their ticket to the 2026 tournament in North America.

France’s victory came in an emotionally charged Parc des Princes, which observed a minute’s silence to mark the 10th anniversary of the Paris attacks.

Deschamps was the coach then and remains in charge now, with the approaching World Cup to be his final tournament before stepping down after a 14-year tenure.

“Given the context tonight, we are pleased to have put some smiles on faces by securing qualification,” he added.

“We have fulfilled our objective, so we are very proud.”

Second-half goals by Mbappe and Michael Olise, as well as a first international strike for Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike, gave Deschamps’ side an unassailable six-point lead over both Iceland, who beat Azerbaijan 2-0, and Ukraine at the top of Group D.

But Mbappe will miss their final qualifier in Azerbaijan on Nov 16 due to a right ankle issue, with the French Football Federation announcing on Nov 14 that he will return to Real Madrid for tests.

While France can now look forward to the draw for the Finals, which takes place in Washington, DC, on Dec 5, Ukraine and Iceland meet each other on Nov 16 to decide who will proceed to the play-offs in March.

Portugal would have secured top spot in Group F with a win against Ireland.

But a Ronaldo red card for violent conduct when trailing 2-0 to a Troy Parrott brace meant Portugal remain on 10 points, three ahead of the Irish and two ahead of Hungary, who won 1-0 against Armenia.

Portugal’s final group match will be against Armenia in Porto on Nov 16, while Hungary welcome Ireland in what will likely be a clash for second place.

Ronaldo, the all-time top scorer in international football, could potentially miss the start of the World Cup if Portugal qualify, depending on the length of his ban.

“We didn’t manage (to win). We’re sad and disappointed with what we did here today,” Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva said.

Despite romping to an Erling Haaland-inspired 4-1 win over Estonia, Norway will also have to wait until the final match day to wrap up their berth at the World Cup.

Forwards Alexander Sorloth and Haaland both netted doubles in Oslo, but the Scandinavians had to rely on Italy’s later match against Moldova before they could be certain of topping Group I.

It was 0-0 in Moldovan capital Chisinau until late goals by Gianluca Mancini (88th) and Pio Esposito (stoppage time) ensured that Italy won 2-0 and retain a mathematical chance of topping the group.

The Azzurri trail the Norwegians by only three points, but have an inferior goal difference of +12, compared to Norway’s +29.

This means Italy will have to beat Norway by nine goals in their final game in Milan on Nov 16 to avoid finishing second.

“It wasn’t easy... We also knew that Norway had won, so it was a bit of a strange atmosphere,” Italy’s Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali told Sky Sport Italia.

“It would mean a lot to us (to beat Norway), because it might not heal the wound, but it will help us push forward.” AFP, REUTERS