France held in Iceland as Germany and Belgium close on 2026 World Cup
Struggling with injuries, France managed only a 2-2 stalemate against Iceland during 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Monday, whereas Germany secured a victory over Northern Ireland thanks to a goal from Nick Woltemade, and Belgium defeated Wales, positioning both teams near qualification for the upcoming finals.
The 2018 World Cup champions and 2022 finalists, France, missed several key players in Reykjavik, such as skipper Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d'Or recipient Ousmane Dembele, both sidelined by injuries.
They trailed after Victor Palsson's late first-half strike, but Christopher Nkunku levelled the score shortly past the hour.
Jean-Philippe Mateta, the Crystal Palace forward, then put Les Bleus ahead in the second half with his debut senior international goal on his first appearance.
Yet, Iceland equalised right after the break when Kristian Hlynsson from FC Twente broke free and unchallenged to tie it at 2-2.
A victory in Reykjavik, paired with Ukraine's failure to overcome Azerbaijan, would have sealed France's spot in next year's North American tournament.
Instead, as France faltered, Ukraine triumphed 2-1 against Azerbaijan in Krakow, Poland, with goals from Oleksiy Hutsuliak and Ruslan Malinovskiy sandwiching an own goal by Vitaliy Mykolenko.
Still, France lead Group D by three points with two matches left next month, and a home win over second-place Ukraine in Paris would secure first position.
"We dominated the match completely. Iceland managed two shots on target and netted twice," said France manager Didier Deschamps to TFI.
"We picked up another point, and next month will prove crucial."
Germany have notched three straight wins in Group A following their initial loss to Slovakia last month.
Newcastle United's Woltemade nodded in the lone goal as Germany edged Northern Ireland 1-0 in Belfast, leaving Julian Nagelsmann's side atop the group on nine points.
"Those were vital three points for the team," Woltemade commented to Germany's RTL, noting that "in such an intense setting during a rather scrappy encounter, securing the win was key, and we managed it well".
Switzerland forced to wait
Slovakia hold second place on goal difference after a 2-0 home win against Luxembourg, with Adam Obert and Ivan Schranz finding the net in the second period.
The 12 European group winners advance directly to the World Cup, while runners-up proceed to March play-offs, making next month's Germany versus Slovakia clash in Leipzig pivotal.
Belgium are on the verge of qualifying from Group J after Kevin De Bruyne slotted home two penalties in a 4-2 success against Wales in Cardiff.
Wales had taken an early advantage through Joe Rodon, but De Bruyne's penalties framed a goal by Thomas Meunier.
Nathan Broadhead narrowed the gap to 3-2, before Arsenal's Leandro Trossard wrapped up Belgium's win in the closing moments.
Rudi Garcia's Red Devils, who previously overcame Wales 4-3 at home in June, now require just one victory from their next two fixtures away at Kazakhstan and hosting Liechtenstein to lock in top spot.
In the meantime, Wales need to close the gap on second-placed North Macedonia, who drew 1-1 at home with Kazakhstan on Monday, as Enis Bardhi equalised for the hosts following Dinmukhamed Karaman's initial score.
Switzerland might have booked their Group B place with favourable outcomes, but a goalless draw in Slovenia means they must wait until next month.
The Swiss lead Kosovo by three points, after the latter's 1-0 triumph over Sweden in Gothenburg via a lone goal from Hoffenheim's Fisnik Asllani.
Sweden's qualifying effort has turned into a nightmare, languishing at the bottom with a single point, even with Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak paired upfront, and they have not scored in their previous three outings.