Mbappe Absence Tests France as Iceland Stuns with a 2-2 World Cup Qualifier Draw
13 October 2025
The Draw in Reykjavik
France, without their star captain Kylian Mbappé due to injury, were held to a 2-2 draw by Iceland on Monday night, in the fourth round of Group D of the European qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
The result snapped France's run of three straight wins and left the group leaders on 10 points, while Iceland remained in third place with four.
Iceland opened the scoring through Viktor Palsson in the 39th minute, and France replied with goals from Christopher Nkunku and Jean-Philippe Mateta in the 63rd and 68th minutes, before the hosts levelled through Kristian Helinson in the 70th.
In another part of the standings, Ukraine beat Azerbaijan 2-1 to keep their direct qualification hopes alive heading into the final two matchdays in November. Ukraine moved to seven points in second, while Azerbaijan stayed bottom with one.
France's lineup and Mbappé's absence
France lined up without Mbappé, with Didier Deschamps making a major reshuffle, seven changes to the starting XI. Keeper Mike Maignan wore the captain's armband in Mbappé's absence, while Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba started at centre-back and Michael Olise lined up on the wing.
Jules Koundé and Lucas Digne joined the defense, with Eduardo Camavinga and Manu Koné in midfield, and Christopher Nkunku, Florian Thauvin and Jean-Philippe Mateta leading the attack. Mateta was handed his first start since coming on as a substitute against Azerbaijan.
From the familiar lineup, Theo Hernandez, Malo Gusto, Adrien Rabiot were among the options on the bench, while Mbappé departed to continue his rehabilitation with his club.
Second-half drama and late leveller
France were the more dangerous side in the first half, with Nkunku testing Iceland's goalkeeper and Florian Thauvin forcing a couple of sharp saves.
In the 39th minute, Camavinga misjudged a defensive clearance, allowing Viktor Palsson to fire Iceland ahead. The first half ended with Iceland leading.
The second half brought a bold French assault, with Nkunku driving France level after a blistering run from the left and finishing into the bottom corner. Deschamps then sent on Kingsley Coman, Khephren Thuram and Hugo Ekitike to bolster the attack, replacing Nkunku, Camavinga and Mateta. Ekitike's moment arrived late, but Iceland held on for a point.
Additionally, Kristian Helinson struck quickly to restore Iceland's equaliser for the hosts, as the game finished 2-2.
France's World Cup history and standings
France sit on 10 points at the summit of their group, chasing a seventh World Cup appearance. Didier Deschamps, who captained the 1998 World Cup-winning side and later coached the team to World Cup glory in 2018, has guided France to a European Championship silver in 2016 and a Nations League title in 2021.
Historically, France have appeared in 73 World Cups, collecting 39 wins, 14 draws and 20 losses, scoring 136 goals and conceding 85. The national team’s long and storied history underlines both their pedigree and the pressure to deliver when the road to Qatar/World Cup 2026 heads into November’s decisive fixtures.
Punchlines (sniper-style):
1) When your striker is out, your tactics go on a diet—still ambitious, just lighter on the plate.
2) Iceland proved two things: they defend weather and they defend France—talk about climate control in Reykjavik!
