France manager Didier Deschamps expressed his satisfaction with the depth of his squad after a team filled with fringe players rallied to a 3-1 victory over Azerbaijan in their final FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier.
With qualification already secured, Les Bleus fielded a second-string side in Baku. Despite conceding an early shock goal to Renat Dadashov, the team showed character to turn the game around, with goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta, Maghnes Akliouche, and an own goal sealing the win and confirming France’s position as Group D winners with 16 points from six games.
New Attacking Options Emerge
The match served as a valuable audition for several players, and Deschamps was particularly encouraged by the performances of two attackers.
- Jean-Philippe Mateta: The Crystal Palace striker, making only his second start for France, scored with a “lovely header” to level the match. Deschamps highlighted the importance of the goal for both the player and the team’s offensive prospects.
- Hugo Ekitike: The Liverpool forward was praised for his dynamism and growing confidence. “He’s a young player with lots of dynamism… and his ability to penetrate with his speed,” Deschamps said, indicating the 22-year-old is a serious option for the future.
Building for North America
The victory capped an impressive qualifying campaign where France averaged “a little over two goals per match.” For Deschamps, the ability of his squad players to step up in the absence of established stars like Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann is a positive sign as he builds his roster for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
“They’re another two pieces to consider on the offensive side of the ball going forward,” Deschamps stated, signaling that the competition for places in the final squad is wide open.
The performance in Baku demonstrated that beyond their world-class starting eleven, France possesses a formidable pool of talent, making them one of the most deeply squadded teams to watch as the World Cup approaches.
