France will arrive in Qatar as World Cup holders after an outstanding campaign in Russia 2018.
They also eased through qualification, going unbeaten in a group containing Ukraine, Finland, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Kazakhstan.
Atlético Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann ended as the group’s joint top-scorer with six goals and Kylian Mbappé was one behind him.
Didier Deschamps is now in his 10th year as the team’s head coach and he continues to have an outrageous amount of talent at his disposal.
France World Cup 2022 squad
World Cup squads are usually announced around six weeks before the World Cup starts. This year the World Cup will run from Nov 21-Dec 18.
Who are likely to be their key players?
Hugo Lloris has been one of France’s most crucial players since the turn of the century and will likely become the nation’s most-capped player in Qatar. At the ripe old age of 35, the Spurs goalkeeper has captained his country since 2012 and his experience as well as his reliability will be vital for Les Bleus.
Although he struggled with consistency during his six years at Old Trafford, Paul Pogba has always stepped up within the France set-up. Now he has returned to Juventus, it seems likely he will return to being at the top of his game domestically too which can only be beneficial for Deschamps’ team. On his day, Pogba can be the catalyst to swing a game in his side’s favour.
Similarly, Karim Benzema is a man for the big occasion after a phenomenal campaign with Real Madrid. The 34-year-old racked up a staggering 44 goals in 46 club games during the 2021-22 campaign and was instrumental in them securing a record 14th European Cup. If he can inspire his nation to another World Cup in a formidable attacking trident with Griezmann and Mbappé , he will be a shoo-in for the Ballon d’Or.
Who, where and when do France play?
France will be playing Australia, Denmark and Tunisia in Group D.
Group Stage fixtures
France vs Australia, Saturday Nov 22, 7pm GMT (10pm local time), Al Janoub Stadium
France vs Denmark, Thursday Nov 26, 4pm GMT (7pm local time), Al Janoub Stadium
Tunisia vs France, Monday Nov 30, 3pm GMT (6pm local time), Education City Stadium
See the full World Cup 2022 fixtures list.
What is France’s World Cup record?
France are defending champions, having beaten Croatia 4-2 in the 2018 final at the end of a near faultless run, including victories over Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium.
That was their second World Cup victory following the Zinedine Zidane-inspired triumph, when he scored twice in a 3-0 battering of Brazil in the 1998 final.
However, it was arguably the great midfielder’s headfirst assault on Marco Materazzi and subsequent sending off that cost his side in the 2006 final, which Italy went on to win on penalties.
France boast some of the most talented players in the world and possess a particularly fearsome attack. They should ease through their group yet, while it would be unwise to rule them out of winning it again, we should note that no team has managed back-to-back world titles since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
What are the latest odds?
France are currently a best price of 6/1 to win the World Cup.
Other leading contenders…
-
Brazil 9/2
-
England 7/1
-
Spain 8/1
-
Argentina 8/1
-
Germany 10/1
Information correct as of July 20
