Milan, Oct. 14 (LaPresse/AP) – France drew with Iceland 2-2, missing the chance to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The result in Reykjavik interrupted France’s perfect start in the European qualifiers after three consecutive wins. The two-time world champions could have secured qualification if they had beaten Iceland and Ukraine had not defeated Azerbaijan. Instead, Ukraine won 2-1. Second place at the 2022 World Cup, France is still top of Group D with 10 points, three more than Ukraine. Les Bleus were without captain Kylian Mbappé, who scored in the 3-0 win over Azerbaijan on Friday, but left the field limping due to a right ankle injury. Iceland took the lead with a goal from Victor Palsson in the 39th minute, but the visitors equalized with Christopher Nkunku in the 63rd, then went ahead with Jean-Philippe Mateta in the 68th. Iceland regained parity with Kristian Hlynsson a couple of minutes later. Iceland remains on four points after four matches, three more than Azerbaijan.
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