France's Kylian Mbappe, left, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match between Ukraine and France at Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Mbappe Stars As France Beat Ukraine
Kylian Mbappé was back in World Cup action on Friday, scored again and this time France won. France beat Ukraine 2-0 in neutral Poland to open their qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup. It was Les Bleus’ and Mbappé’s first game in the competition since his hat trick in that epic loss to Lionel Messi and Argentina in the 2022 final when they were defending champions. Mbappé used pace and skill to elude Ukraine defender Illia Zabarnyi in the 82nd minute to extend a lead earned in the 10th by Michael Olise, and navigate what looks the toughest of France’s six qualifying group games.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: France vs Ukraine
| Photo: AP/Czarek Sokolowski
France's Kylian Mbappe, centre, in action during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match between Ukraine and France at Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland.
UEFA FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Ukraine vs France
| Photo: AP/Czarek Sokolowski
France players celebrate after France's Michael Olise scored his side's opening goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match between Ukraine and France at Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland.
UEFA FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: France vs Ukraine
| Photo: AP/Czarek Sokolowski
France's Kylian Mbappe reacts after missing a scoring chance during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match between Ukraine and France at Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland.
World Cup qualifying Soccer Match: Ukraine vs France
| Photo: AP/Czarek Sokolowski
France's Kylian Mbappe, left, challenges for the ball with Ukraine's Illia Zabarnyi during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match between Ukraine and France at Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland.
World Cup qualifying Sccer Match: France vs Ukraine
| Photo: AP/Czarek Sokolowski
Ukrainian fans cheer their team after the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match between Ukraine and France at Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland.
Poland Ukraine France WCup Soccer
| Photo: AP/Czarek Sokolowski
France's Hugo Ekitike, centre left, heads the ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match between Ukraine and France at Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland.
Poland France Ukraine WCup Soccer
| Photo: AP/Czarek Sokolowski
Ukraine's Ivan Kaliuzhnyi, centre, in action against France's Ibrahima Konate during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match between Ukraine and France at Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland.
Ukraine vs France
| Photo: AP/Czarek Sokolowski
Ukraine's Oleksii Hutsuliak, right, heads the ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match between Ukraine and France at Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland.
France vs Ukraine
| Photo: AP/Czarek Sokolowski
France's Kylian Mbappe, centre, challenges for the ball with Ukraine's Yehor Yarmoliuk, left, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match between Ukraine and France at Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland.
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