France Faces Azerbaijan in World Cup Qualifier Showdown

Baku, Azerbaijan – France will conclude its World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign against Azerbaijan on Sunday night at Tofiq Bahramov Stadium. The match, set to kick off at 9:00 AM PT / 12:00 PM ET, has no implications for qualification as France has already secured top position in Group D, while Azerbaijan is at the bottom with no hopes of advancement.

This clash is more about pride for the Azerbaijan team, who are looking to end their qualifying campaign on a positive note after being eliminated earlier. Coach Aykhan Abbasov aims for his squad to perform well at home, despite a disappointing season.

In their previous encounter just weeks ago, France defeated Azerbaijan 3-0, solidifying their dominance in the group. Expectations are high for the French squad, who have been in fine form, winning four of their last five matches.

The lineup for France features Kylian Mbappé, who, despite injuries to several key players, remains a central figure in the French attack. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan’s standout player, midfielder Emin Makhmudov, will be counted on for experience and leadership as he brings his efforts to the match.

Both teams are familiar with the stakes of the World Cup qualifiers. Azerbaijan is eager for a strong showing to build momentum for the future, while France looks to end with a flawless qualification record and showcase their talent ahead of the tournament.

“We have trained hard, and even though we’ve qualified, we want to play our best,” stated a member of the French team. As the game approaches, all eyes will be on the performances and the thrill of international football at Baku’s historic stadium.