Iceland have never won any of their 20 previous meetings with France, with les Bleus winning each of their last five competitive encounters, prevailing 1-0 when they last visited Reykjavík six years ago.
Iceland vs France preview
Will France continue their perfect start to World Cup qualification? On Friday night, les Bleus swatted aside Group D minnows Azerbaijan 3-0 at Parc des Princes. Kylian Mbappé broke the deadlock on the cusp of half time in Paris, before Adrien Rabiot headed home a second and then, mere seconds after being introduced as a substitute, Florian Thauvin marked his first cap since March 2019 with a goal.
This made it three wins out of three for Didier Deschamps' side in this campaign. The two-time world champions defeated Ukraine 2-0 in their opener in Wrocław last month, before battling back from a goal down to defeat Iceland 2-1 four days later. So, victory in Reykjavík will see France rubber stamp their World Cup spot with two games to spare, if Ukraine fail to beat Azerbaijan simultaneously.
As for Iceland, their hopes of featuring at just a second World Cup suffered a real set back on Friday night, with Arnar Gunnlaugsson's side beaten in a 5-3 thriller by Ukraine. Mikael Ellertsson equalised at Laugardalsvöllur, only for Ukraine to score twice in first half stoppage time. Nevertheless, Iceland hit back again, Albert Guðmundsson on target twice in 13 minutes to make it 3-3, but déjà vu struck, as Ukraine scored twice in the final five minutes to claim three precious points.
This defeat saw Iceland slip down to third in Group D, suffering that aforementioned narrow loss in Paris, having hammered Azerbaijan 5-0 in their opener. Their clash with Ukraine in Warsaw on the final matchday next month is likely to decide who enters the play-offs and who is eliminated, under pressure to win in Baku before that, while anything they yield from this one will be viewed as a bonus. Well, considering Iceland have won just ten of their last 45 competitive matches, only enjoying victories over Romania, Liechtenstein, Bosnia, Israel, Montenegro and Azerbaijan this decade, they'll need to improve. Thus, a French victory is the most likely outcome at Laugardalsvöllur.
Iceland vs France head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 20.
- Iceland Wins: 0. Draws: 5. France Wins: 15.
Iceland team news
Star striker Orri Óskarsson remains sidelined while veteran Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson, who his agonisingly stuck on 99 caps, hasn't been called up since June.
Albert Guðmundsson's brace against Ukraine could see him once again deployed in midfield, while Elías Rafn Ólafsson is the number one goalkeeper these days.
Iceland predicted lineup vs France: (4-3-3): Ólafsson; Pálsson, Ingason, Grétarsson Ellertsson; Jóhannesson, Haraldsson, Guðmundsson; Magnússon, Þorsteinsson, Guðjohnsen.
Iceland player to watch vs France
Andri Guðjohnsen, son of legend Eiður, scored his tenth international goal at Parc des Princes in September, so can he now net at Laugardalsvöllur for the first time in a year?
France team news
Aurélien Tchouaméni's red card in the reverse fixtures means he remains suspended, while Kylian Mbappé is also out, after suffering an injury against Azerbaijan, meaning he has not traveled. He joins Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé, Rayan Cherki and Bradley Barcola on the sidelines.
Even with so much attacking talent absent, Didier Deschamps has plenty to choose from. Hugo Ekitiké made his first senior international start on Friday night, while Jean-Philippe Mateta earned his maiden senior cap off the bench, this duo the leading candidates to lead the line without Mbappé.
France predicted lineup vs Iceland: (4-3-3): Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Thuram, Rabiot, Camavinga; Olise, Coman, Ekitiké.
France player to watch vs Iceland
Given the absences, Michael Olise is likely to be the star of this team. Often deployed centrally throughout 2025 by Deschamps, he has scored against Croatia, Germany and Ukraine this year alone, so will be les Bleus' attacking focal point in Reykjavík.
Iceland vs France prediction
Even without their talisman at Laugardalsvöllur, we cannot see beyond a comfortable France victory, likely to swat aside a generally pretty average Iceland team on Monday: Iceland 0-3 France.
Iceland vs France FAQs - World Cup qualifier
How to watch Iceland vs France in World Cup qualification on TV channel?
Iceland vs France in World Cup qualification will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video PPV - £2.49.
- USA: Fox Sports & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Iceland vs France in World Cup qualification on live streaming?
Iceland vs France in World Cup qualification will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video PPV - £2.49.
- USA: Foxsports.com & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Iceland vs France in World Cup qualification?
Iceland vs France takes place on Monday 13 October 2025, with kick off at 19:45 (BST), 14:45 (EDT) & 11:45 (PDT).