The 2018 FIFA World Cup champions, France will travel to Qatar in an effort to keep the trophy, which hasn’t been accomplished since 1962.
France confirmed squad for the World Cup
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris, Alphonse Areola, Steve Mandanda
Defenders: Theo Hernandez,Lucas Hernardez, Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde, Raphael Varane, Benjamin Pavard, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Axel Disasi
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga, Youssouf Fofana, Adrien Rabiot, Matteo Guendouzi, Aurelien Tchouameni, Jordan Veretout
Forwards: Kingsley Coman, Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe, Christopher Nkunku, Marcus Thuram, Olivier Giroud, Karim Benzema
The two key players who are expected to miss the competition are Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, who both played a significant role in the 2018 World Cup victory. Since Les Bleus’ two stars aren’t available for selection, their options in the middle of the field appear to be rather average.
Elsewhere Mike Maignan also had to withdraw because of an injury. Hugo Lloris had always been expected to start for France because he is their captain, but if Maignan had been healthy, he would have made the best injury backup imaginable.
Centre-back Axel Disasi of Monaco took the place of Presnel Kimpembe, who had been named to the initial roster but later had to withdraw due to personal reasons.
Who are France’s best players?
Kylian Mbappe
At only 23 years old, Kylian Mbappe is among the few footballers in the world who is capable of dominating knockout round games on his own. He was the breakout star of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. At the club level so far this season, Mbappe has scored 18 goals in 19 games, and at the international level, he has scored four goals in six games.
Karim Benzema
The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner was without a doubt the best player in the world during the 2021/22 season, contributing to a goal every 66.4 minutes as Madrid won La Liga and another UEFA Champions League title with 44 goals and 15 assists in 46 showings across all competitions.
Particularly his performance in the Champions League has established him as a deserving 2022 Ballon d’Or winner. In that competition alone, the 34-year-old scored 15 goals, 10 of which came just in the knockout stages. The French star has had injury issues this year, but by the time the tournament begins, he should be healthy and on fire for his country, France.
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