France Faces Azerbaijan in World Cup Qualifier Showdown

PARIS, France — The reigning world champions, France, host Azerbaijan at Parc des Princes this Friday, October 10, at 20:45 local time. The match is part of the third round of Group D in the UEFA qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

France comes into the match as the undefeated leader of the group, having won against Ukraine (2-0) and Iceland (2-1). In stark contrast, Azerbaijan sits at the bottom of the group after a draw with Ukraine (1-1) and a heavy defeat to Iceland (0-5).

Betting odds favor France significantly, reflecting the disparity in quality. Fans are predicting a victory for France, possibly with a -2.5 Asian handicap.

The French team aims to build on its recent successes, scoring four goals in their last two official matches. Coach Didier Deschamps maintains a strong squad, featuring stars like Kylian Mbappé, who hopes to add to his goal tally upon his return to the national team.

“We are eager to perform well at home,” noted Deschamps. “We understand that we need to secure three points against Azerbaijan to stay at the top of the group.”

Azerbaijan, on the other hand, struggles with just one point from six possible and hopes to avoid another defeat. Their defensive strategy, typically a 5-4-1 formation, aims to absorb pressure from superior teams.

Historically, France has dominated their encounters, winning seven of their previous eight matches against Azerbaijan in qualification games. The last meeting in 2021 ended in a 2-0 victory for France.

Injuries may affect France, as key players like Ousmane Dembélé and Aurélien Tchouaméni are sidelined. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan reports no significant injuries ahead of the match.

The match promises to be a critical showcase for France’s attacking depth and Azerbaijan’s resilience in seeking an upset. The anticipation is high, and fans expect a spirited performance from the Blues.

The match will be broadcast on beIN Sports and available on various streaming platforms for UEFA qualifiers.