A look at the country’s demographics, football history and its squad status prior to the Qatar World Cup 2022.
Number of inhabitants: approx. 68 million.
Continent: Europe
Confederation: UEFA
National Football Association: FFF (Federation française de football)
Number of members: around 1,800,000. (2.6% of total population)
International trophies won: 2x World Cup, 2x European Championship, 1x Nations League, 2x FIFA Confederations Cup, 1x CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions
Best World Cup result: Champions in 1998 and 2018.
Key Players
In the past: Zidane, Platini, Henry, Papin, Thuram, Vieira, Trezeguet.
Key current players: Benzema, Mbappé, T. Hernandez, Griezmann.
Coach, formation and possible lineup
Coach: Didier Deschamps. (since 2012)
Typical formation: 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-1-2
Possible lineup:
- GK: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham)
- LCB: Lucas Hernandez (Bayern)
- CB: Raphael Varane (Man Utd)
- RCB: Jules Koundé (Barcelona)
- LM: Theo Hernandez (AC Milan)
- RM: Benjamin Pavard (Bayern)
- DM: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)
- DM: Aurélien Tchouameni (Real Madrid)
- ACM: Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
- ST: Kylian Mbappé (PSG)
- ST: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Age Report
Players aged 25 or under in the current lineup: 5
Players aged 32 or over in the current lineup: 2
There are 2 players in this lineup will (most likely) be playing their last World Cup this year: Karim Benzema and Hugo Lloris.
There are 5 players in this lineup that can play (at least) two more: Camavinga, Tchouameni, Mbappé, Koundé, Hernandez.
The remaining 4 players could play in one or two more World Cups.
Youngest player: Eduardo Camavinga, born 10 November 2002 (20)
Oldest player: Hugo Lloris, born 26 December 1986 (35)
Average squad age: 26.7
World Cup Qatar – Group D
Fixtures:
Tuesday 22 November France vs Australia
Saturday 26 November France vs Denmark
Wednesday 30 November Tunisia vs France
Our view:
Currently, France is suffering. They have a lot of quality players, for sure. But, unfortunately for them, also a lot of injured players. The drama surrounding Paul Pogba is not helping them either. If they can recuperate enough players, France is always a candidate to win the World Cup. If not, they can still progress far. But they could also find themselves not getting past the group stage, where a strong Denmark squad will be waiting. Not to mention Tunisia, that is always motivated to go the extra mile against their former colonists. As they are the current holders of the World Cup, everyone will put on their best performance against France regardless. If Denmark should finish first in the group, and France second, they will face the winner of group C. Which will most likely be Argentina. An exit in the round of 16 would then not be far off for the reigning World Champions.
Prediction: Round of 16
Update 16 November after definitive squad selection was revealed. Changes: replaced Maignan (injury) with Lloris, Badiashile with Lucas Hernandez, Kante (injury) with Camavinga, Mendy with Theo Hernandez.
