2022 FIFA World Cup Team Previews: France
The 2022 FIFA World Cup is less than a month away from kicking off in Qatar. Over the next 32 days, I will be previewing each team that will be taking part in the world’s most-watched event. Check out all of the team previews that have been done so far. Up next is France.
The past three World Cup champions went out in the group stage the next time the World Cup took place. Defending champions France are going to be looking to avoid the same fate and break the curse. With a team that has only improved since 2018, it will be tough for anyone to stop “Les Bleus” or “The Blues.” The only thing that could is all the injuries that have happened as of late. France’s injury woes have played a big part in them winning just one of their last six matches. However, before the injuries set in, France lost only one match since the start of 2020. Ranked #4 in the FIFA men’s rankings France is better than that depending on who makes the trip to Qatar.
World Cup Appearances
France will be playing in their 16th World Cup in Qatar. The 2022 World Cup will be their seventh straight after missing both the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. That was the second time that “Les Bleus” missed back-to-back World Cups after doing so in 1970 and 1974. Their first World Cup appearance came at the beginning when the first World Cup took place in 1930 in Uruguay.
Best Finish at a World Cup
If you followed the 2018 World Cup even remotely you will know the answer to this. If you did not for some reason “Les Bleus” won it all by beating Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup Final. That was the second World Cup title that France has won along with their 1998 glory as hosts. Behind a Zinedine Zidane brace and a stoppage-time goal from Emmanuel Petit, France beat Brazil 3-0 in Paris.
Key players
France has an extreme amount of depth which will come in handy considering they are going to be missing a few key players at the 2022 World Cup. Minefield tandem Paul Pogba and N’golo Kanté have both been ruled out for the World Cup, while defender Raphael Varane and forward Anthony Martial are going to be last-minute decisions on if they can go to Qatar. Despite the injuries plus others, “Les Bleus” will have a star-studded team going to the Middle East. Kylian Mbappé is one of the best young players in the world and played a huge part in France winning the 2018 World Cup. Along with Mbappe up top will be Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema and Antoine Griezmann creating a lethal front three.
Defensively without Varane France will rely on Benjamin Pavard and the surprise star for Arsenal, William Saliba. In goal will be the captain and always-solid Hugo Lloris, who allowed just six goals in six matches played at the 2018 World Cup. The midfield will be interesting as “Les Bleus” will have to rely on youth and inexperience in the form of 19-year-old Eduardo Camavinga and others under 23 years of age.
Manager
Didier Deschamps is the longest-tenured manager of France in its history having started in 2012. The former French international won numerous awards in 2018 following his side’s World Cup title. He also finished second behind German manager Joachim Löw for the World’s Best National Coach of the Decade from 2011 to 2020. Before managing “Les Bleus” Deschamps managed Monaco, Juventus, and Marseille.
Biggest Group Game – vs Denmark on November 26
If France wants to win their group for the third straight World Cup they will need to beat Denmark. While France should outmatch both Tunisia and Australia, Denmark will not be as straightforward especially after the two drew 0-0 in the group stage last season. On paper, a fully healthy “Les Bleus” team should be able to beat Denmark, but there is no shot that France is fully healthy especially with midfielders Pogba and Kante already ruled out for the 2022 World Cup.
Prediction
Despite all of the injuries, I believe France will get it done in the group stage and find a way to win Group D. Winning the group would mean that “Les Bleus” would play the runner-up of Group C which is going to be either Mexico or Poland unless Argentina has a group stage meltdown. I think they will be able to beat both Mexico and Poland which could set up a match with England. As much as I want England, I see France moving on and if they do I think they will make it to the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final. When they do it will be against Argentina and Lionel Messi will finally get his World Cup win.
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