Appearances: 15
Best finish: Champions 1998
Manager: Didier Deschamps
Star player: Antoine Griezmann
he team have simply grown from strength to strength under Deschamps reign. In July 2012, Deschamps took over as national team coach and since than France have been on the rise and reached the final of Euro 2016 losing against Portugal.
Deschamps has an attacking mindset but, despite the talent that the team have, they don’t control or dominate the way Germany and Brazil do. However, the side are very effective on the counter-attack and that is how they are likely to line up, with pacy wingers in an expected 4-3-3 formation. The have a quality leader in Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to captain France in Russia.
Youngsters to watchout for are Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele. The pacey Mbappe will be the key player for France and Ousmane Dembele can be very affective whenever he gets and opportunity in this strong line-up.
The ace striker Antoine Griezmann is the man to watch out for as he has finished as the top goal scorer in Euro 2018 and has clearly hit the purple patch right in time for the world cup.
Griezmann have amble to quality players to support him upfront - Paris St-Germain forward Mbappé, Alexandre Lacazette and Thomas Lemar.
The midfield will be patrolled by Paul Pogba, Adrien Rabiot and N’Golo Kante. In all probability in the defence, Laurent Koscielny should start alongside Rafael Verane. With Benjamin Mendy struggling with injury, PSG’s Layvin Kurzawa is likely to start at left back. Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti could also start at right back.
France were one of the four European teams that participated at the inaugural World Cup in 1930 and have appeared in 14 FIFA World Cups. The French team won their first and only World Cup title in 1998. The tournament was played on home soil and France defeated Brazil 3–0 in the final match.
In 2006, France finished as runners-up losing 5–3 on penalties to Italy. They have also finished in the third spot in 1958 and 1986 and in fourth place in 1982.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda, Alphonse Areola
Defenders: Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe, Benjamin Mendy, Benjamin Pavard, Adil Rami, Djibril Sidibe, Samuel Umtiti, Raphael Varane
Midfielders: N’Golo Kante, Blaise Matuidi, Steven N’Zonzi, Paul Pogba, Corentin Tolisso
Forwards: Ousmane Dembele, Nabil Fekir, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Thomas Lemar, Kylian Mbappe, Florian Thauvin.
