France, Germany gain ground in WC qualification campaign

The 2018 and 2014 FIFA World Champions, France and Germany, gained ground in their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign, reported Xinhua.

While the Germans achieved a convincing 4-0 win over underdog Luxembourg, the French secured a well-deserved 3-0 victory over Azerbaijan on home soil.

Coach Didier Desamps's side extended their lead in Group D to five points ahead of second-place Ukraine (4), after their entertaining 5-3 victory over Iceland (3).

Real forward Kylian Mbappe scored the 1-0 in the dying minutes of the first half and provided the assist for Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot's 2-0. Florian Thauvin finished the 3-0 after his team ended up with 33-1 shots and 77 percent ball possession.

Julian Nagelsmann's Germany retook the top spot in Group A after Slovakia lost 1-0 to Northern Ireland.

Leipzig's David Raum, Joshua Kimmich, who scored twice, and Serge Gnabry (both Bayern) all booked goals.

Germany topped Group A on six points ahead of Northern Ireland and Slovakia with superior goal difference.

Switzerland, in Group B, maintained its perfect record with a 2-0 win over Sweden, with Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka opening scoring, followed by Johan Manzambi's goal.

In Group J, North Macedonia collected a total of 12 points to stay ahead of Belgium after a goalless draw in Brussels. Kazakhstan earned a 4-0 victory over Liechtenstein.

The 12 European group winners qualify directly. The next 12 teams compete in the playoffs, along with the four best group winners from the UEFA Nations League who did not finish in the top two of their World Cup qualification groups.