France will aim to keep their perfect start to FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers going when they face Azerbaijan on Friday night.
France will look to extend their perfect start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign when they host Azerbaijan at the Stade de France on Friday night. The reigning world runners-up have begun their Group D journey with two wins from two, while their visitors sit bottom of the table, still chasing their first victory.
While Didier Deschamps’s side may not have dazzled in September’s fixtures, their efficiency and depth ensured two wins from two, a 2-0 victory over Ukraine followed by a hard-fought 2-1 comeback against Iceland. Despite falling behind early against Iceland through Andri Gudjohnsen, goals from Kylian Mbappe and Bradley Barcola secured another three points for Les Bleus.
France’s recent results reflect their hallmark consistency: solid organisation, quick transitions, and an attack capable of scoring from any position. As two-time world champions, lifting the trophy in 1998 and 2018, and runners-up in 2022, they remain one of the tournament favourites to go all the way again next year.
Historically, France have dominated this matchup, winning 2-0 and 10-0 in their only two previous meetings with Azerbaijan during the Euro 1996 qualifiers. A similar outcome could be on the cards given the gulf in class and current form.
On the other hand, Aykhan Abbasov’s Azerbaijan are enduring a difficult qualifying phase. After being thrashed 5-0 by Iceland, they managed to restore some pride with a 1-1 draw against Ukraine, but their performances continue to show defensive fragility and a lack of cutting edge in the final third.
Having gone over ten months without a competitive win, the National Team’s confidence is low. The recent managerial changes have also added instability, with Abbasov only serving as a temporary head coach following Fernando Santos’s poor stint (nine losses in 11 games).
While Azerbaijan will likely sit deep and look to frustrate the French attack, their defensive record suggests a long and testing night in Paris. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
France
France will be without the influential Aurelien Tchouameni, who is serving a suspension following his red card in the victory over Iceland. His absence will be a blow to Didier Deschamps’s midfield structure, given his ability to shield the defence and dictate the tempo of play.
Adding to Deschamps’s selection concerns, Bradley Barcola, Marcus Thuram, and Ousmane Dembele are all sidelined through injury. Barcola’s pace, Thuram’s strength, and Dembele’s creativity will all be missed, forcing the French manager to make tactical adjustments to maintain balance and attacking potency.
To compensate, Adrien Rabiot is expected to slot into midfield, offering his usual blend of work rate, intelligence, and progressive passing. In attack, Kylian Mbappe will continue to lead the line, supported by Michael Olise, Kingsley Coman, and Hugo Ekitike, with Deschamps likely rotating his wingers to stretch Azerbaijan’s low defensive block.
In defence, the reliable quartet of Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, and Theo Hernandez will protect goalkeeper Mike Maignan, forming one of the most formidable backlines in world football.
The French side is expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Mike Maignan in goal. Jules Kounde will occupy the right-back position, while William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano partner in central defence, and Theo Hernandez operates as the left-back. Adrien Rabiot and Manu Kone will anchor the midfield. Kingsley Coman, Michael Olise, and Hugo Ekitike will play behind Kylian Mbappe, who spearheads the attack as the central forward.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; Rabiot, Kone; Coman, Olise, Ekitike; Mbappe
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan enter this contest with no fresh injury or suspension concerns, which will come as a welcome relief for interim head coach Aykhan Abbasov, who has been trying to bring stability and cohesion back into the side. The manager is expected to stick with a familiar setup and personnel, favouring a compact defensive structure designed to frustrate the French attack.
In attack, Azerbaijan’s hopes will once again rest on the shoulders of Renat Dadashov and Mahir Emreli, who have scored ten international goals between them. Both strikers are expected to feature from the start, with their pace and movement on the counter likely to be Azerbaijan’s primary outlet against a possession-dominant French side.
The nation’s all-time leading active scorer, Emin Mahmudov, who has netted 14 goals for Azerbaijan, will be a crucial figure in midfield, providing creativity and composure on the ball. Anatoliy Nuriyev is also set to start, adding energy and work rate in the centre of the park, while Rahil Khaybulaev will offer defensive cover and ball recovery in deeper areas.
Defensively, Rahman Dashdamirov is expected to be handed a starting spot on the right side of a five-man backline, while Behlul Mustafazade and Anton Kryvotsyuk will partner Elvin Badalov in central defence. Qismat Aliyev is expected to feature on the left flank, supporting both defensively and during overlapping runs when possible.
Azerbaijan will line up in a 5-3-2 formation, with Shakhruddin Magomedaliyev between the posts. The back five will consist of Rahman Dashdamirov, Elvin Badalov, Behlul Mustafazade, Anton Kryvotsyuk, and Qismat Aliyev. In midfield, Khayal Aliyev, Emin Mahmudov, and Anatoliy Nuriyev will aim to control transitions and support the front two. Up front, Mahir Emreli and Renat Dadashov will lead the attack, looking to exploit any spaces left by France on the counter.
Probable Lineup (5-3-2): Mahammadaliyev; Dashdamirov, Badalov, Mustafazada, Krivotsyuk, Qismat Aliyev; Khayal Aliyev, Mahmudov, Nuriyev; Emreli, Dadashov
Key Stats
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France have won all two previous meetings against Azerbaijan, scoring 12 goals and conceding none. Their biggest victory came in a 10-0 thrashing during the Euro 1996 qualifiers, one of the heaviest defeats in Azerbaijan’s history.
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Les Bleus have now gone 11 matches unbeaten in World Cup qualifiers (W9 D2), scoring over 30 goals in that span. Their last defeat in a World Cup qualifier dates back to 2013, when they lost 2-0 to Ukraine in the playoffs.
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Azerbaijan have never won an away World Cup qualifier against a top-20 ranked nation. In their last 15 away qualifiers, they have recorded 11 defeats and four draws, scoring just seven goals while conceding 39.
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Kylian Mbappe has been directly involved in 10 goals in his last seven international appearances (7 goals, 3 assists). The French captain has scored in six consecutive home matches for his country, including two braces.
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France have kept five clean sheets in their last six competitive home games, conceding only once in that period. In contrast, Azerbaijan have failed to score in four of their last five away matches in all competitions, highlighting the defensive gulf between the two sides.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
All eyes will once again be on Kylian Mbappe, the heartbeat of France’s attack and their most consistent match-winner in recent years. The Real Madrid superstar continues to carry his extraordinary club form onto the international stage, with seven goals and three assists in his last seven appearances for Les Bleus.
Mbappe’s blistering pace, sharp movement, and lethal finishing make him a nightmare for defenders, particularly for a side like Azerbaijan, who are expected to defend deep and absorb pressure. His ability to break lines and exploit even the smallest defensive lapses could be decisive, especially in transition moments or one-on-one duels.
Beyond his goals, Mbappe’s leadership has grown significantly since being handed the captain’s armband. He sets the tempo for France’s attack, often dropping deeper to link play and creating space for others such as Michael Olise and Kingsley Coman to thrive. Against a low-block side like Azerbaijan, Mbappe’s sharp interplay and clinical edge could once again make the difference, and another goal would move him closer to France’s all-time top scorers list.
Prediction
France 4-0 Azerbaijan
France are overwhelming favourites heading into this clash, and it is difficult to see any scenario where Azerbaijan can cause a genuine upset. Didier Deschamps’s side have too much quality, depth, and structure across all areas of the pitch, even with key players like Aurelien Tchouameni and Ousmane Dembele missing.
Azerbaijan are likely to sit deep in a compact 5-3-2 shape, attempting to frustrate France and limit space in central areas. However, the hosts’ attacking power, led by Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, and Kingsley Coman, should prove far too strong, particularly with the pace and creativity they can generate from wide positions.
Expect France to dominate possession, create chances almost at will, and eventually break down their visitors’ resistance through sustained pressure and individual brilliance. Azerbaijan may hold firm early on, but once France find their rhythm, the goals are likely to flow freely.