Paris: Kylian Mbappé, the French national football team captain, played a pivotal role in France's 3-0 win over Azerbaijan, contributing both a goal and an assist. However, following the match, Mbappé has been sidelined due to an injury, affecting his chances of surpassing Olivier Giroud's national team scoring record this October. Despite the setback, the French team is on the verge of securing their place at the 2026 World Cup. They are currently leading their group by a significant margin and have the opportunity to confirm their qualification in their upcoming match against Iceland on Monday evening.

According to France24.com, the race for World Cup spots continues to be intense in Africa as well. With five spots still available, teams such as Senegal, Cameroon, the Ivory Coast, and Gabon are in contention to join the already qualified teams: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia. As the final qualifying round approaches, anticipation builds around which countries will secure their place in the global tournament.