What's on the line for Ligue 1 players in the international break?
Heading into the October international break, there is plenty on the line for many of Ligue 1 McDonald's players, who have travelled far and wide to represent their respective nations.
France can qualify if...
Already, 18 out of the 48 teams that will be represented at the FIFA World Cup have been decided. Of course, there are the hosts, Canada, USA, and Mexico, who were all already guaranteed of their spot, meaning that the likes of Monaco forward Folarin Balogun, Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann, and OGC Nice defender Moise Bombito will all take part in next summer's tournament, fitness permitting.
There are plenty of other nations that have guaranteed their place via the qualifiers. Monaco pair Vanderson and Caio Henrique, PSG captain Marquinhos, and Lille's Alexsandro have all played a part in taking the Selecao to the tournament.
Morocco, for whom Ligue 1 McDonald's players such as Achraf Hakimi, Sofiane Diop, Nayef Aguerd, Hamza Igamane, and Osmae Sahraoui have all featured, have secured their place, as have South Korea, who boast a trio of Ligue 1 McDonald's players, including PSG's Lee Kang-in.
There are plenty more sides looking to book their place and some nations could during the current international window. France could seal their place, however, they will be reliant on results elsewhere going their way.
Thauvin is back in the French team 🇫🇷😍 pic.twitter.com/GNtsYUrdJo
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) October 7, 2025
Didier Deschamps' side must control the controllables on their side. Les Bleus are contending with injury absences, notably PSG trio Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, and Bradley Barcola, but there is still plenty of Ligue 1 McDonald's representation, including from Lucas Chevalier, Lucas Hernandez, and Maghnes Akliouche.
After six years and over 2,300 days away from the France set-up, Florian Thauvin has earned a recall following his impressive start to the Ligue 1 McDonald's season with Lens.
European and African sides on verge of World Cup qualification
France aren't the only European side on the verge of qualification. The likes of Switzerland, represented by the likes of Denis Zakaria, Breel Embolo, and Ulisses Garcia, Portugal, represented by PSG players Goncalo Ramo, Joao Neves, Vitinha, and Nuno Mendes, and Spain, for whom Fabián Ruiz is a regular, could all book their places for next summer's World Cup.
It could also be a big international break for the African nations. Algeria are strongly represented in Ligue 1 McDonald's, with Marseille's Amine Gouiri and Nice's Hicham Boudaoui both playing a starring role for Les Fennecs. There could also be a qualification for the Ivory Coast, the second-most represented foreign nationality in France's top-flight.
A special day for Ghanaian football 👀🇬🇭🔥 pic.twitter.com/vjbBe21ZfC
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) October 8, 2025
Hamed Traoré, Strasbourg's Guéla Doué, Jérémie Boga, and Seko Fofana, among others, will look to take them to North America for next summer's tournament. The most represented foreign nationality in Ligue 1 McDonald's, Senegal, could also qualify, as could Ghana.
After missing out on qualification for the AFCON, they have enjoyed a more successful World Cup qualification campaign. In the coming days, Nice's Kojo Peprah Oppong could make his debut, whilst Monaco's Mohammed Salisu, Auxerre's Ibrahim Osman, Alidu Seidu, and Salis Abdul Samed could also all feature.
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