Match Overview

This exciting Group D fixture in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers will see Ukraine take on France on September 5th at the Stadion Wrocław in Poland. This detailed preview offers a comprehensive forecast, betting odds, and key statistics for the Ukraine vs France encounter.

Ukraine National Team Analysis

Ukraine’s Qualification Journey

In the previous FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign, Ukraine also found themselves drawn in the same group as France. On both occasions, the Ukrainian squad managed to secure a 1-1 draw against their formidable opponents. Ukraine ultimately finished second in their group, earning a spot in the play-offs to contend for a place at the World Cup. They successfully overcame Scotland with a 3-1 victory but were narrowly defeated 0-1 by Wales, missing out on the World Cup by a single goal. Notably, the Ukrainian national team earned the most draws in the previous World Cup qualification cycle, with six stalemates complementing their two victories.

Key Statistics for Ukraine

• Fewer than three goals were scored in regular time in 11 of Ukraine’s last 14 World Cup qualifying matches.
• Both teams scored within 90 minutes in 8 of the national team’s last 10 European World Cup qualifying fixtures.
• Ukraine did not concede a goal in the first half in 12 of their last 15 World Cup qualifying matches.

Ukraine Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1)

Anatoliy Trubin – Illia Zabarnyi, Oleksandr Svatok, Mykola Matvienko – Yehor Yarmolyuk, Vitaliy Mykolenko, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ivan Kalyuzhnyi – Heorhiy Sudakov, Oleksiy Hutsulyak – Artem Dovbyk.

Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin and defender Oleksandr Tymchyk are unavailable due to injuries.

France National Team Overview

France’s Dominant Form

Group D’s World Cup 2026 qualification campaign is just beginning for France, a delayed start attributed to their commitments in the Nations League. As previously mentioned, France and Ukraine shared a group in the last World Cup qualifiers. On that occasion, Didier Deschamps’ squad decisively topped the five-team group, securing five victories and three draws. It’s worth highlighting that the French conceded only three goals throughout the campaign, marking the third-best defensive record among all teams in the European World Cup qualifiers.

Key Statistics for France

• France remained undefeated in their last 12 World Cup qualifying matches (8 wins, 4 draws).
• Fewer than three goals were scored in 7 of the national team’s last 8 World Cup qualifying fixtures.
• France have not lost in their last 5 away matches in this tournament (4 wins, 1 draw).

France Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)

Mike Maignan – Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Dayot Upamecano – Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni – Marcus Thuram, Michael Olise, Désiré Doué – Kylian Mbappé.

Defender William Saliba and forward Rayan Cherki are out of the squad due to injuries. Additionally, forward Antoine Griezmann has retired from international football.

Match Official

Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)

Matches – 9 (International fixtures, 2024/25–2025/26);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 30;

Average yellow cards per match – 3.3;

Red cards shown – 2;

Average fouls per match – 22;

Penalties awarded – 33%.

Ukraine vs France Match Prediction

Expert Prediction Insights

Didier Deschamps’ side enters this encounter as the clear favorites. However, Ukraine has a proven track record of challenging their formidable opponents, having consistently managed to snatch points from France. In their last six official head-to-head clashes, Ukraine has suffered only two defeats, alongside one victory and three draws, highlighting their resilience against the French.

Home Advantage for Ukraine?

Historically, France tends to defeat Ukraine either on their home turf or in the final stages of major tournaments. Conversely, when the match takes place at Ukraine’s home ground (or designated home venue), the more illustrious French team often encounters difficulties, evidenced by three draws and one loss in such scenarios.

Key Betting Insights

It is plausible that Serhiy Rebrov’s team could once again secure points against France, or at least suffer a minimal defeat. In their last 10 World Cup qualifying matches, Ukraine has only lost once, and that was by a single goal margin. Furthermore, France has failed to achieve a commanding victory in 7 of their last 10 away fixtures in this competition.

My prediction is “Ukraine with a +1.5 handicap” at odds of 1.72

Author: Oleksandr Oleksenko