The FIFA World Cup Qualifying – UEFA Group D campaign sees two teams looking to end their journey on a high note as Azerbaijan host Iceland in their penultimate fixture. For the home side, Azerbaijan, this match represents a chance to claim a valuable home victory and move off the foot of a challenging group that also features powerhouses France and Ukraine. They have struggled significantly in the campaign, managing only a single point from their four matches.
Iceland, the visitors, have also endured a difficult qualifying process but still hold a mathematical, albeit distant, chance of securing a play-off berth. Having convincingly defeated Azerbaijan in the reverse fixture, they will arrive in Baku with confidence, looking to secure a decisive win to keep their slender hopes alive.
Match Details
This crucial Group D fixture is one of the final matches in the UEFA qualification phase, with important implications for the final group standings.
DetailInformationCompetitionFIFA World Cup Qualifying – UEFAPhaseGroup D – Matchday 5DateThursday, November 13, 2025Kick-off5:00 PM CET (8:00 PM Local Time – UTC+4)VenueNeftçi Arena, Baku, Azerbaijan
Team Form and Analysis for Azerbaijan
World Cup Qualifying Performance and Struggle
Azerbaijan currently sit in 4th position in Group D with 1 point from four matches. Their league record stands at zero wins, one draw, and three losses.
Under manager Fernando Manuel Fernandes da Costa Santos, the national team has faced an extremely tough qualifying group. Their solitary point came from a surprising 1-1 home draw against Ukraine in September. However, their other results have included heavy defeats, notably a 5-0 loss away to Iceland in the reverse fixture and a 3-0 home defeat to France. The Milli (The National Team) have struggled significantly in attack, scoring only two goals across their four matches, while their defence has conceded a worrying 11 goals. Playing at the Neftçi Arena offers a familiar environment, and the team will be desperate to show greater resilience and offensive threat against an Iceland side they know well.
Key Player: Emin Mahmudov
Midfielder Emin Mahmudov is the captain and one of the most experienced players in the Azerbaijan squad. He is a creative force in the midfield and often tasked with linking the defence and the attack. Given the team’s low scoring record, Mahmudov’s ability to drive forward, find key passes, and contribute goals from midfield will be crucial. His presence and leadership on the pitch will be vital for motivating the team and exploiting any weaknesses in the Icelandic defensive structure.
Team Form and Analysis for Iceland
World Cup Qualifying Campaign and Goal-Scoring Power
Iceland are currently in 3rd position in Group D with 4 points from four matches. Their league record stands at one win, one draw, and two losses.
Strákarnir okkar (Our Boys) have shown flashes of the attacking brilliance that characterized their successful past campaigns. They possess one of the most potent attacks in the group, having scored an impressive 11 goals, which is only behind the group leaders, France. Their campaign highlight was a dominant 5-0 home victory against Azerbaijan in the reverse fixture, followed by a dramatic 2-2 home draw against France. However, their defence has proven leaky, conceding 9 goals in their matches, contributing to losses against France (2-1 away) and Ukraine (5-3 home). Manager Arnar Gunnlaugsson will be pushing his side to maintain their goal-scoring momentum while urgently tightening the defensive frailties to have any hope of a surprise play-off push.
Key Player: Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson
Midfielder Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson is one of the team’s standout performers in the current campaign, having scored two goals in the World Cup Qualifiers, both coming in the dominant 5-0 victory over Azerbaijan. The versatile attacker possesses excellent technique, speed, and a keen eye for goal. Jóhannesson’s ability to find space, his energetic pressing, and his contribution to both goals and assists will be the main driving force behind Iceland’s attack. Given the historical disparity in this fixture, his role in replicating the offensive success of the last encounter will be pivotal.
Head-to-Head Record between the Teams
The historical record between Azerbaijan and Iceland is minimal, but the recent competitive fixture provides a clear advantage to the visiting side.
MetricAzerbaijan WinsDrawsIceland WinsTotal Head-to-Head Matches011Recent WCQ Result (Sep 2025)Iceland 5-0 Azerbaijan (H)Iceland’s Goals Scored (WCQ H2H)5
The two nations have only met twice in their history—once in a friendly in 2008 that ended in a 1-1 draw, and the most recent competitive clash in the current World Cup Qualifying Group D. The result of the reverse fixture in Reykjavik in September 2025 was a comprehensive 5-0 victory for Iceland, which stands as the competitive head-to-head record between the two teams. This result not only established Iceland’s dominance but also exposed the current defensive weaknesses of Azerbaijan.
Players to Watch
Azerbaijan
Toral Bayramov (Defender/Midfielder): The versatile player brings tenacity and energy to the squad. His commitment to the defensive effort, especially in managing Iceland’s prolific attacking players, and his ability to push forward on the flanks will be important for Azerbaijan.
Renat Dadashov (Forward): The striker is often asked to lead the line and will need to capitalize on any limited opportunities created. His physical presence and willingness to challenge the Icelandic central defence will be key to providing an offensive outlet.
Iceland
Albert Gudmundsson (Forward): The goal-scoring threat is one of Iceland’s most dangerous players, having also scored in the 5-0 reverse fixture. His trickery, speed, and clinical finishing make him a constant problem for opposing full-backs and centre-backs.
Victor Pálsson (Defender/Midfielder): The experienced player provides steel in the midfield and defence, essential for disrupting Azerbaijan’s attempts to build play. Pálsson is also a threat from set-pieces, having scored in the reverse fixture.
Prediction
This match pits Azerbaijan’s home determination against Iceland’s superior attacking quality and the psychological advantage of the reverse 5-0 victory. While Azerbaijan will undoubtedly be more motivated and organized at the Neftçi Arena than they were away, their attacking struggles and Iceland’s high goal-scoring rate are difficult to overlook. Iceland will be driven by the need for three points to maintain their slim play-off hopes, and their high-octane attack should ultimately prove too much for the struggling Azerbaijan defence. A victory for the visitors, likely featuring multiple goals, is the expected outcome.
Score Prediction: Azerbaijan 1-3 Iceland
Live Stream and TV Broadcast Information
This important FIFA World Cup Qualifying – UEFA match is scheduled for broadcast across various platforms globally.
In the United Kingdom (UK), the match will be available to watch and stream live on Viaplay Sports or other broadcasters holding the rights for this specific UEFA qualifying fixture.
In the United States (US), the match is typically available to watch and stream live on FOX Sports networks or their associated streaming services like Fubo TV or ViX+.
Check local TV and streaming listings in other regions for the most accurate broadcast information.
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