France Held by Iceland as Germany and Belgium Edge Closer to World Cup Qualification

France’s hopes of early qualification for the 2026 World Cup were delayed after being held to a 2-2 draw by Iceland in Reykjavik on Monday, while Germany and Belgium strengthened their positions with crucial victories in their respective groups.

Injury-hit France — missing captain Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele — fell behind late in the first half when Victor Palsson struck for Iceland. Christopher Nkunku brought the visitors level just after the hour mark, before Jean-Philippe Mateta marked his first start for Les Bleus with his maiden international goal midway through the second half.

However, Iceland responded almost immediately, with Kristian Hlynsson of FC Twente racing through the French defence to equalise. The draw meant France missed a chance to confirm qualification, as Ukraine defeated Azerbaijan 2-1 in Krakow thanks to goals from Oleksiy Hutsuliak and Ruslan Malinovskiy.

Despite dropping points, France remain three points clear at the top of Group D with two matches left. A victory at home against Ukraine next month will secure first place.
“We totally controlled the game. Iceland had two shots on target and scored twice,” said France coach Didier Deschamps. “We have another point on the board, and next month will be decisive.”

In Group A, Germany recorded their third consecutive win with a 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland in Belfast. Newcastle United forward Nick Woltemade scored the only goal with a well-taken header, keeping Julian Nagelsmann’s side top of the group with nine points.
“It was a very important three points for us,” Woltemade told RTL. “In this atmosphere and in a bit of an ugly game, you just have to win, and we did that.”

Slovakia, level on points with Germany but behind on goal difference, defeated Luxembourg 2-0 at home through second-half goals from Adam Obert and Ivan Schranz. The two nations meet next month in Leipzig in what could decide the group winner.

In Group J, Belgium moved to the brink of qualification after a 4-2 win over Wales in Cardiff. Joe Rodon gave Wales an early lead, but Kevin De Bruyne converted two penalties, while Thomas Meunier and Leandro Trossard added further goals for the visitors. Nathan Broadhead briefly gave Wales hope, but Belgium’s late strike sealed the result.

Rudi Garcia’s side need just one win from their remaining fixtures against Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein to confirm top spot.

Elsewhere, Switzerland were forced to wait for qualification after being held 0-0 by Slovenia, while Kosovo boosted their chances with a 1-0 win over Sweden, whose campaign has unraveled — the team sits bottom of Group B with just one point and no goals in their last three matches.