- France hope to become the third country to win consecutive FIFA World Cups
- The French national team’s group is similar to the one they won in Russia in 2018
- France failed to enter the knockout phase in South Africa in 2010
Didier Deschamps and France hope to become the third country to win consecutive FIFA World Cups after Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1970, 1974). (1958, 1962).
France will be making their 16th World Cup appearance, a championship they’ve won in 1998 and 2018. Except for Denmark, Australia and Tunisia are unlikely to trouble them as they chase a knockout spot.
The French national team’s group is similar to the one they won in Russia in 2018.
Tunisia replaces Peru, joining Australia and Denmark. In recent encounters, the Danes have had the edge over Les Bleus. Australia and Tunisia, two inferior teams in Group D, shouldn’t pose much of a threat to France and Portugal.
Their preparation for Qatar has been hindered by injuries. Paul Pogba was recovering from a meniscus injury when he suffered a thigh injury and missed the World Cup.
N’Golo Kante’s hamstring injury added to Deschamps’ woes before his team left for Qatar.
Deschamps may have plenty of choices, but missing not one but two outstanding players is enough to sweat even as the weather in Doha becomes frigid.
With dynamic midfielders injured, Deschamps will seek to the next generation, led by 20-year-old Eduardo Camavinga. Camavinga left Rennes for Real Madrid in 2021 and hasn’t looked back. Doha 2022 might be Camavinga’s big-stage debut as he enters his first World Cup.
Real Madrid’s talismanic striker Karim Benzema has been plagued by muscle ailments in the weeks building up to the competition.
Olivier Giroud’s expertise could be useful if Antoine Griezmann isn’t totally fit. If Benzema doesn’t start, is he fit for the month-long tournament? Giroud needs three goals to pass Thierry Henry as France’s all-time leading scorer. With Kylian Mbappe and Benzema as goal threats, can Giroud aid France and make history? Les Bleus are terrible at protecting titles. After winning in 1998, France didn’t advance past the group stage in 2002.
After losing the 2006 World Cup final to Italy in a penalty shootout, France failed to enter the knockout phase in South Africa in 2010.
France plays Australia on November 22. Will France break the trend in 2022?
[embedpost slug=”/fifa-says-world-cup-stadiums-wont-sell-alcohol/”]
