France 4-0 Ukraine: Les Bleus Clinch 2026 World Cup Spot in Historic Night

With a dominant 4-0 victory over Ukraine, Équipe de France de football secured qualification to the 2026 World Cup while paying tribute on the 10th anniversary of the Paris attacks at the Parc des Princes.

Paris, 13 November 2025. The Équipe de France delivered a commanding 4-0 victory over Ukraine at the Parc des Princes to secure their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026. The win comes on a poignant evening — exactly ten years after the attacks of 13 November 2015 in Paris — adding emotional weight to the achievement.

Key Moments & Goals

The match remained deadlocked at 0-0 until the 55th minute, when captain Kylian Mbappé converted a penalty to give France the lead. He then added a second in the 83rd minute.

In between, Michael Olise curled home a superb strike around the 76th minute, and late substitute Hugo Ekitiké sealed the scoreline with the fourth goal in the 88th minute — his first for the national team.

Why This Matters

France remain unbeaten in World Cup qualifying and now guarantee a seed for the 2026 tournament.
The victory came on the same date that evokes one of the darkest nights in Paris’s recent history, meaning celebrations were understandably restrained. Coach Didier Deschamps described the win as “professional rather than flashy”.
The achievement also comes with context: Deschamps has said this will be his final major tournament in charge, meaning the squad have one last major international assignment under his leadership.

Stand-out Performers

Kylian Mbappé was the obvious star, not only scoring twice but leading the team with authority. The return of Olise marks the continued integration of younger talent, while Ekitiké’s goal may enhance his role going into 2026. The defensive unit kept a clean sheet, a hallmark of France’s recent qualifying campaigns.

What’s Next?

With qualification secured, France have one final qualifier against Azerbaijan. The stakes are low in terms of qualification, but the match provides an opportunity to fine-tune ahead of the tournament and give valuable minutes to fringe players. Meanwhile, the broader focus will shift to squad renewal, tactics and handling the tournament schedule next summer.

For Ukraine, the defeat means they’ll likely fight for a playoff spot rather than automatic qualification — the pressure remains intense in Group D.

Conclusion

France’s 4-0 win over Ukraine didn’t just tick a box — it did so in style, on a night layered with meaning for the players, the staff and the country. The performance underlines that Les Bleus remain a force in European football and are well-placed heading into the World Cup cycle. The journey continues.