Overview

• Kickoff is Friday at 20:45 for the qualifying opener, played in Wroclaw because Ukraine cannot host official matches on its territory since 2022.
• Ousmane Dembélé is on a personalized program for a hamstring issue and is unlikely to feature, while William Saliba (ankle) and Rayan Cherki (quadriceps) are out.
• Benjamin Pavard and Hugo Ekitike have been called to replace Saliba and Cherki as Didier Deschamps launches what he has confirmed will be his last season in charge.
• Le Parisien reports a likely 4-2-3-1 with Maignan; Koundé, Konaté, Upamecano, Digne; Tchouaméni with Manu Koné; Olise at 10 behind Mbappé, with Barcola and Doué on the wings.
• Separately, France’s women’s volleyball team exited the World Championship in the quarterfinals to Brazil (0-3 in Bangkok) after a breakthrough win over China to reach the last eight for the first time in 51 years.