World Cup Qualification 2026: France-Ukraine, the likely lineups

On Thursday evening, Nov. 13, France and Ukraine face each other, taking the field at the Parc des Princes in Paris at 8:45 p.m. in a match valid for Group D of the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The transalpines lead the grouping thanks to their three wins and only draw accumulated so far, the guests at the moment chase in second place, however, preceding third-placed Iceland by only three points. That is why a good result could prove decisive in their race for qualification.

Didier Deschamps’ France is expected to take the field with a trident, in which the talented Olise and Mbappé will support center forward Ekitike. In the middle of the field the muscles and quality of Kanté and Camavinga, while the side lanes will be entrusted to Theo Hernandez and Barcola. In front of Maignan it will be Gusto, Saliba and Upamecano who will make up the defensive line.

Serhiy Rebrov is expected to send his Ukraine into the field with a seemingly cautious formation, but not without quality. Dovbyk will act as the only forward, supported by a thick midfield centered on Malinovskyi, with Sudakov and Ocheretko in the inside position. At full-back Hutsulyak on the right and Yarmolyuk on the left, a four-man defense consisting of Konoplya, Mykolenko, Zabarnyi and Matviyenko.

France-Ukraine, the probable lineups:

France (3-4-3): Maignan; Gusto, Saliba, Upamecano; Hernandez, Kanté, Camavinga, Barcola; Olise, Ekitike, Mbappé. All.: Didier Deschamps.

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Ukraine (4-5-1): Trubin; Konoplya, Mykolenko, Zabarnyi, Matviyenko; Hutsulyak, Sudakov, Malinovskyi, Ocheretko, Yarmolyuk; Dovbyk. All.: Serhiy Rebrov.

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