Fri Sep 05 17:50:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the text you provided, focusing on France’s upcoming World Cup qualifier against Ukraine:
**France Begins 2026 World Cup Qualifying Campaign with Key Match Against Ukraine**
**Paris, France** – The French national team begins its quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup with a challenging fixture against Ukraine. Coach Didier Deschamps is emphasizing the importance of a strong start and has named a starting eleven that blends defensive stability with midfield power and a dynamic attack.
AC Milan’s Mike Maignan continues as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper, inheriting the role from Hugo Lloris. The defensive line sees Jules Koundé at right back, Dayot Upamecano and Lucas Hernández in the center, and Lucas Digne at left back.
The midfield will be anchored by Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouaméni, alongside Adrien Rabiot. Ousmane Dembélé and Marcus Thuram will support the attack with Desiré Doué making his debut on the right wing.
Leading the line as captain is Kylian Mbappé, the team’s talisman and primary goal threat. Deschamps hopes Mbappé’s speed, skill, and finishing ability will prove decisive against a resilient Ukrainian side.
The lineup signals Deschamps’ intent to control the game and capitalize on attacking opportunities while maintaining a solid defensive structure.
Ukraine are expected to line up with: Zinchenko, Mykolenko, Zbarnyi, Tymchyk in defense, Shaparenko, Ocheretko, Yarmolyuk in midfield and Tsygankov, Dovbyk, Yaremchuk in attack.
The match promises to be a hard-fought contest as France aims to take a decisive step towards the 2026 World Cup.
First Piper 