Germany and Belgium look set for finals, while France still has work to do

Injury-hit France was held to a 2-2 draw by Iceland in 2026 World Cup qualifying on Monday, while Germany won in Northern Ireland thanks to a Nick Woltemade goal and Belgium beat Wales to stand on the brink of qualifying for next year's finals.

France, World Cup winner in 2018 and runner-up in 2022, was without a host of players in Reykjavik, including captain Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, both out injured.

It fell behind to a Victor Palsson goal late in the first half, but Christopher Nkunku equalized just after the hour mark.

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta then gave Les Bleus the lead midway through the second half, getting his first senior international goal on his first start.

However, Iceland was back level almost from the restart as Kristian Hlynsson of FC Twente ran through unchallenged to make it 2-2.

France could have clinched qualification for next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico with a win in Reykjavik combined with Ukraine failing to beat Azerbaijan at the same time.

But, while it was dropping points, Ukraine was beating Azerbaijan 2-1 in the Polish city of Krakow — Oleksiy Hutsulyak and Ruslan Malinovskyi scored for Ukraine either side of a Vitaliy Mykolenko own goal.

France is, nevertheless, three points clear at the top of Group D with two games remaining next month, and a win at home to second-placed Ukraine in Paris will wrap up top spot.

"We totally controlled the game. Iceland had two shots on target and scored two goals," France coach Didier Deschamps told TFI. "But, we have another point on the board and next month will be decisive."

Germany has now recorded three consecutive victories in Group A after beginning its campaign with a defeat in Slovakia last month.

Newcastle United forward Woltemade headed in the only goal of the game as Germany beat Northern Ireland 1-0 in Belfast, and Julian Nagelsmann's team is top of the group with nine points.

"It was a very important three points for us," Woltemade told Germany's RTL, adding that "in this atmosphere, and in a bit of an ugly game, you have to win, and we did well".

Switzerland forced to wait

Slovakia sits second only on goal difference as it defeated Luxembourg 2-0 at home, Adam Obert and Ivan Schranz scoring the goals in the second half.

The 12 group winners in European qualifying will go to the World Cup, with runners-up continuing on to playoffs set for next March — the meeting between Germany and Slovakia in Leipzig next month will therefore be decisive.

Belgium has almost qualified from Group J after Kevin De Bruyne converted two penalties in a 4-2 win over Wales in Cardiff.

Joe Rodon had given Wales an early lead, but De Bruyne's spotkick double came either side of a Thomas Meunier goal.

Nathan Broadhead pulled it back to 3-2, only for Leandro Trossard of Arsenal to seal Belgium's victory at the death.

Rudi Garcia's Red Devils — who beat Wales 4-3 at home in June — know that one win from their two games next month away to Kazakhstan and at home to Liechtenstein will clinch top spot.

Meanwhile, Wales must try to catch second-placed North Macedonia, which was held 1-1 at home by Kazakhstan on Monday with Enis Bardhi replying for the host after Dinmukhamed Karaman's opener.

Switzerland could have qualified from Group B with the right combination of results, but will have to wait until next month after a 0-0 draw in Slovenia.

The Swiss are now only three points clear of Kosovo, who beat Sweden 1-0 in Gothenburg thanks to a solitary strike by Fisnik Asllani of Hoffenheim.

Sweden's campaign has proven to be a disaster as it sits bottom of its group with just one point.

Despite having Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak starting together up front, it has failed to score in its last three matches.

AFP