The French team faces Azerbaijan this Sunday, November 16, 2025, at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, in Baku, in the tenth round of Group D of the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The game starts at 2 pm (Brasília time). The match marks the end of the teams’ campaign, with France already classified as leader and Azerbaijan at the bottom, with no chance of advancing.
The clash takes place without qualifying pressure for the French, who have 13 points in five games, with four wins and one draw. Azerbaijan, in turn, has just one point and is looking for a positive result at home to close the year. The live broadcast is carried out by the SporTV channel in Brazil.
France arrives undefeated in the group, after beating Ukraine 4-0 last Thursday. Coach Didier Deschamps opts for rotation, sparing stars such as Kylian Mbappé, who is injured, and other starters. Azerbaijan, coached by Aykhan Abbasov, comes from a 2-0 defeat to Iceland and reinforces its defense for the challenge.
Confirmed lineups for the duel
France lines up in 4-2-3-1, with Lucas Chevalier in goal for the first time as an absolute starter. THEDefense features Malo Gusto, Ibrahima Konaté, Lucas Hernández and Theo Hernández, under the command of Warren Zaïre-Emery and Khéphren Thuram. In attack, Michael Olise, Christopher Nkunku and Jean-Philippe Mateta support Hugo Ekitiké.
Azerbaijan adopts a 3-4-3 formation, with Şahrudin Mahammadaliyev defending the goal. The line of three defenders includes Elvin Badalov, Bahlul Mustafazada and Anton Krivotsyuk. In the middle, Qismat Aliyev, Abdullakh Khaybulaev, Emin Makhmudov and Rahman Dashdamirov control the game, while Ceyhun Nuriyev, Renat Dadashov and Khayal Aliyev finish.
These formations reflect tactical adjustments: France prioritizes ball possession, with an average of 60% in the competition, while Azerbaijan focuses on counterattacks, despite only three goals scored in nine matches this year.
History of clashes favors the French
The teams faced each other three times, with French victories each time. The aggregate score is 15-0 for Les Bleus.
In the last duel, in October 2025, France won 3-0 in Paris, with goals from Mbappé and others. In 1996, in the Eurocup qualifiers, the results were 2-0 and 10-0.
Azerbaijan have never scored against the French in official games. This sequence reinforces France’s technical superiority, ranked third in FIFA, against the opponent’s 123rd place.
Latvian referee Andris Treimanis referees the game, with an average of 4.77 cards per game in his career. In history, Azerbaijan received seven yellow cards in previous clashes.
Players in thisthan in Azerbaijan
Emin Makhmudov, the 33-year-old Azerbaijani captain, leads the midfield with experience at Neftçi Baku. He scored one of the team’s rare goals in 2025.
Renat Dadashov, 27-year-old striker, plays for Rubin Kazan and is the main offensive reference, with a height of 1.88 m for aerial balls.
Khayal Aliyev, 22 years old, plays for Qarabağ and brings speed on the wings, with 40% accuracy on crosses.
These athletes represent the local base, focusing on defensive organization to contain the French attack.
Highlights and absences in France
The rotation allows young players like Zaïre-Emery, 19, to debut at PSG, with advanced game vision. He has 83% correct passes in qualifiers.
Michael Olise, from Bayern Munich, enters as creator, with 95 creativity in recent evaluations and a goal in the victory over Ukraine.
Absences include Mbappé, due to a muscle injury, and Ousmane Dembélé, suspended. Eduardo Camavinga and Manu Koné are also out.
- Chelsea’s Nkunku takes on the role of playmaker with a tactical rating of 57.
- Mateta, from Crystal Palace, finishes strongly, scoring in recent games.
- Ekitiké, from Eintracht Frankfurt, leads the attack with six goals this season.
Where to watch live in Brazil
Transmission takes place exclusively on SporTV, Globo’s closed channel.
Subscribers can access via cable or streaming on Globoplay, with the option of a Sports package.
Overseas options include TF1 in France and Amazon Prime Video in the UK.
The game is part of the qualifying schedule, with narration by Brazilian football referents.
Preparation of selections in Baku
Azerbaijan trained at the stadium on Friday, adjusting the schedule in closed training. Coach Abbasov emphasized defensive compactness.
France arrived in Baku on Saturday night, after flying from Paris. Deschamps carried out reconnaissance of the pitch, with an emphasis on adapting to the time zone.
The stadium, with capacity for 31 thousand fans, expects partial capacity. The forecast temperature is 12°C, with cloudy skies.
These details guarantee ideal conditions for the conclusion of the group stage.
France seeks to maintain its unbeaten record, while Azerbaijan aims for its historic first goal against its rivals. The starting whistle will sound soon, defining the end of the campaign.
