Match preview for Ukraine v France
Ukraine face France in Wroclaw on Friday night as both nations begin their World Cup qualification campaigns.
France’s participation in the Nations League finals meant they were placed into one of the condensed four-team qualifying groups, with fixtures to be completed across just three months.
This campaign represents the final chapter for Didier Deschamps as France boss, with the 55-year-old set to step down after next summer’s World Cup in North America.
His last opportunity to add to the 2018 World Cup title ended in disappointment at the recent Nations League, where his side lost a thrilling 5-4 semi-final to Spain despite an incredible late comeback.
They did, however, respond by beating Germany 2-0 to claim third place.
While criticism has followed Deschamps, France’s recent record remains strong. Since the 2022 World Cup final, only Germany, Spain, Italy, and Croatia have beaten them, and qualification for 2026 looks inevitable.
Starting against second-seeds Ukraine makes for a testing opening, even if the match is being staged on neutral ground in Poland.
A win here would make Les Bleus heavy favourites to top the group. France have not missed a World Cup since 1994 and boast two titles and two further final appearances since then.
Ukraine, meanwhile, have enjoyed European Championship consistency but remain haunted by struggles in World Cup qualifying. They have only ever appeared once on football’s biggest stage – reaching the quarter-finals in 2006 – and have suffered defeat in three of their last four play-off attempts.
History is against them: Ukraine have only beaten France once in 12 meetings, in the first leg of a playoff for the 2014 World Cup, before Les Bleus overturned the deficit in the return leg. More recently, France demolished them 7-1 in a 2020 friendly, although both 2022 qualifiers ended 1-1.
Team news for Ukraine v France
Defenders Illia Zabarnyi and Vitaliy Mykolenko are both closing in on milestone caps for Ukraine, with Zabarnyi set to reach 50 appearances and Mykolenko achieving the same if he features in both fixtures this week.
Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin is unavailable through injury, meaning Anatoliy Trubin will start between the posts. Oleksandr Tymchyk is another absentee, while Benfica’s Georgiy Sudakov is expected to play a key role in midfield. Forward Artem Dovbyk, who has fallen out of favour at Roma, will hope to make an impact.
For France, Arsenal’s William Saliba is sidelined with a muscle injury sustained against Liverpool, and Rayan Cherki has also withdrawn. Hugo Ekitike has been called up in Cherki’s place and could earn a first cap, alongside Maghnes Akliouche.
Adrien Rabiot remains part of the squad despite controversy surrounding his Marseille exit, while Warren Zaire-Emery, Randal Kolo Muani, and Matteo Guendouzi have not been selected.
Expected line-ups for Ukraine v France
Ukraine: Trubin; Konoplya, Zabarnyi, Matviienko, Mykolenko; Kaliuzhny, Zinchenko; Tsygankov, Shaparenko, Sudakov; Dovbyk
France: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Konate, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Olise, Dembele, Thuram; Mbappe
How to watch Ukraine v France: TV channel, online stream
Ukraine v France will kick-off at 7:45pm on Friday and is available to watch on Amazon Prime in the UK.
The stats for Ukraine v France
- France have qualified for every World Cup since 1998
- Les Bleus have reached four finals in that time, winning two
- Ukraine’s only World Cup appearance came in 2006, when they made the quarter-finals
- France are unbeaten in their last five games against Ukraine, winning twice and drawing three
- Ukraine have lost three of their last four play-off ties across major tournaments
- Didier Deschamps will step down as France manager after the 2026 World Cup
Prediction
This is a tricky opener for France, but even a draw in Wroclaw would leave them well placed to progress, given upcoming games against Iceland and Azerbaijan look more straightforward.
Ukraine have proven they can frustrate France, drawing twice during the 2022 qualifying campaign, and home advantage in Poland could help them again.
Prediction: Ukraine 1-2 France
