The French national team, led by Didier Deschamps, will be participating in the upcoming tournament. Another French selection that may also join the festivities is New Caledonia, currently competing in the intercontinental playoff tournament. If they win against Jamaica on March 26, the Oceanian team, ranked 150th in the FIFA rankings, will face the Democratic Republic of the Congo on March 31 for a chance to qualify for the World Cup. This would be a first for New Caledonia.
New Caledonia has its own football federation, which makes this opportunity possible due to the increased number of teams participating in the upcoming World Cup edition. With 48 teams involved in June, up from 32 previously, it presents a chance for smaller teams to shine.
Geographically, New Caledonia is part of France, but it has its own national team, similar to Reunion, Guadeloupe, or Guyane. The difference is that New Caledonia has its own football federation affiliated with FIFA, giving them the chance to participate in World Cup qualifiers. The players under coach Johann Sidaner have two more matches to achieve this feat.
