France Faces Croatia, Aims for Victory in Quart de Finale
France's match against Croatia will be crucial in determining the team's path forward in the Ligue des nations, and the team's performance will be closely watched as it seeks to secure a spot in the Final Four and eventually qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The French team is set to face Croatia this Sunday evening in the quarterfinals of the Ligue des nations, with a spot in the Final Four on the line, and must score at least two goals to qualify.
According to reports, Didier Deschamps has planned an offensive lineup with two defensive midfielders: Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga or Manu Kone. Bradley Barcola is expected to benefit from this system change and may start on the left wing of a 4-4-2 formation. The probable French team lineup includes Maignan, Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez, Olise, Camavinga (or Kone), Tchouaméni, Barcola, Dembelé, and Mbappé.
In a recent match, France took the lead against Croatia with a goal from Michael Olise, scored after a direct free kick following a foul by Luka Modric on Kylian Mbappé. This marked Olise's first goal for the French national team. France also knows its destiny for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with the team drawn into a group with Ukraine, Iceland, and Azerbaijan.
To qualify directly for the World Cup, France must finish at the top of its group, or face a playoff match in March. Croatia, on the other hand, has been drawn into a group with Montenegro, the Czech Republic, the Faroe Islands, and Gibraltar after its defeat to France.