New Delhi, Oct. 14 -- France missed a chance to secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup on Monday after being held to 2-2 at Iceland.

The result in Reykjavik halted France's perfect start in European qualifying after three straight victories. The two-time world champion could have sealed qualification if it had beaten Iceland and Ukraine failed to defeat Azerbaijan. Ukraine won 2-1.

Runner-up at the 2022 World Cup, France still leads Group D with 10 points, three more than Ukraine.

France was without captain Kylian Mbappe, who scored in the team's 3-0 victory over Azerbaijan on Friday but limped off the field with a right ankle injury.

Iceland took the lead with a goal by Victor Palsson in the 39th minute but the visitors rallied with Chr...