France edged closer to World Cup qualification despite seeing their winning start to their Group D campaign come to an end in a 2-2 draw with Iceland.
2026 World Cup qualification Europe
2-2
Match Report
Already assured of at least a play-off spot due to their Nations League results, France are nevertheless out to automatically qualify for next year's tournament by finishing top of the group.
However, without the injured Kylian Mbappe, Les Bleus could not make it four wins from four as a comeback charge ultimately failed to yield a victory in Reykjavik, where Kristian Hlynsson earned a share of the spoils for the hosts.
Largely against the run of play, Victor Palsson put Iceland ahead in the 39th minute when he prodded home after France failed to clear from a set-piece.
Yet moments after seeing a great chance go begging when he blazed over from close range, Christopher Nkunku made amends with a brilliant finish to restore parity in the 63rd minute.
Substitute Maghnes Akliouche then put it on a plate for Jean-Philippe Mateta to mark his full France debut with a simple close-range finish five minutes later.
Yet Iceland were back on level terms within two minutes when Hlynsson raced through and finished coolly beyond Mike Maignan, keeping Iceland's hopes of at least reaching the play-offs alive.
Les Bleus bring a point back from Iceland🇮🇸
— French Team (@FrenchTeam) October 13, 2025
We’ll be back in November to secure our spot at the 2026 World Cup #ISLFRA | #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/hKXZyCGwtt
Data Debrief: France show their powers of recovery
France are now unbeaten in the last seven matches in which they conceded the first goal, winning four of those games.
However, Didier Deschamps will not be happy that, having worked so hard to get ahead, his team then surrendered the lead in such weak fashion, especially given France accumulated 20 shots to Iceland's four.
But Les Bleus, who are three points clear at the top of Group D, are unbeaten in their last 16 World Cup qualifiers, and they will look to book their place at next year's tournament by beating Ukraine on November 13.
Line-ups
Iceland XI: Victor Pálsson, S. Ingason, Daníel Leó Grétarsson, Albert Gudmundsson, Sævar Atli Magnússon, Logi Tómasson, Elías Ólafsson, Mikael Egill Ellertsson, Ísak Jóhannesson, Hákon Arnar Haraldsson, Daníel Gudjohnsen
Subs: A. Gunnarsson, Anton Ari Einarsson, Mikael Anderson, Thórir Jóhann Helgason, Hákon Valdimarsson, Stefán Teitur Thórdarson, Jón Dagur Thorsteinsson, Bjarki Bjarkason, Baldursson, Brynjólfur Willumsson, Kristian Hlynsson, Gísli Thórdarson
France XI: Digne, Thauvin, Maignan, Nkunku, Upamecano, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kounde, Saliba, Camavinga, Manu Koné, Olise
Subs: Brice Samba, Rabiot, Coman, Lucas, Pavard, Theo, Khéphren Thuram, Lucas Chevalier, Hugo Ekitiké, Gusto, Maghnes Akliouche