Former Azerbaijani national team coach Arif Asadov, who also works as an instructor at UEFA coaching courses in Baku, spoke to AZERTAC ahead of Azerbaijan’s World Cup 2026 qualifying match against France today.
“France is one of the strongest teams in the world and the main favorite of our group. Nevertheless, our team must fight until the very end,” Asadov said.
He acknowledged that the away game would be a tough test for Azerbaijan: “We would like our team to return home with points, but realistically, that seems difficult. However, football is full of surprises. Anything is possible. In our last match against Ukraine (1:1), our team showed great determination. The players displayed national spirit and high motivation. We hope to see the same approach against France. Even if we lose, the key is to know we gave our best on the field. That mindset is crucial going into the match.”
Asadov also highlighted that new head coach Aykhan Abbasov has spent more time with the squad and understands the players’ potential better: “In the first game, he had limited time with the players. This time, several training sessions have taken place, and the tactical setup for the team is already clear. Abbasov knows the players’ potential well. Naturally, expecting dominant football against France is unrealistic. We will focus more on defending. I hope to see a combative national team in this match.”
The France vs. Azerbaijan game at the Parc des Princes will kick off at 22:45 Baku time.
