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FIFA World Cup 2022 Preview: Can thrilling France go back-to-back?

The FIFA Soccer World Cup is back this year after a four-and-a-half-year absence, and things are a little different this time. This year’s World Cup will be hosted by the Gulf state of Qatar, making this the first World Cup to be held in the Middle East. It will also be the first World Cup to be held during winter months, so it is sure to be a historic event that will live long in the memory.

One of the biggest nations in the competition this year is two-time World Cup winners France, who are also the reigning champions. 4th-ranked France has had an incredibly successful few years, with multiple semi-final appearances in European Championships as well, and with soccer megastars throughout their team, they will be confident of a repeat of the 2018 triumph.

Read this preview for an overview of France’s national soccer team, their rich history, and their chances of winning the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

France National Soccer Team

France is one of a select few countries that have won the World Cup multiple times, and over the years they have had some of the finest players to grace the sport in their squads. Add that to some of the famous controversies, including the team going on strike at the 2010 World Cup, and France has been one of the most crucial nations in the sport of soccer for multiple decades.
History

France has had a storied history in the game, with legends of the sport coming from France, and some of the most notable clubs in world soccer like PSG, Monaco, Lyon, and Marseille being French. French clubs have historically done well in European competition, but still lag behind some of the bigger leagues such as the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga or the Italian Serie A. This could change in the coming years with PSG’s financial muscle and lofty ambitions, though, so watch this space. Greatest achievements

The France national soccer team has won the World Cup twice, in 1998 after beating Brazil 3-0 with the aid of two goals by Zinedine Zidane, and most recently in 2018 when they beat a wonderful Croatia team 4-2. The star of the 2018 tournament was a teenage Kylian Mbappé, who also scored in the final to cap a breakout tournament for him.

France also reached the World Cup final in 2006, and were part of one of the most controversial and memorable moments in soccer history when France legend Zidane headbutted Italy defender Marco Materazzi in extra-time, getting a red card and having to sit out the following penalty shootout, which France lost. This was Zidane’s last match in soccer before retiring and it was one of the most shocking World Cup moments in its history.

Notable players

The aforementioned Zidane is widely considered to be France’s best player ever, but he has some stiff competition. Michel Platini was one of the finest midfielders of his generation and won the Ballon d’Or three times in a row between 1983 and 1985.

Thierry Henry became the best soccer player in Arsenal’s history and is also France’s record goalscorer with 51 in 123 games, although this record is under threat by current star Olivier Giroud, who is on 49 with the World Cup coming up.

Jersey

France’s national soccer team’s jersey for the 2022 World Cup is a traditional dark blue, but this time without many fancy additions. Nike has gone for a minimalist, classy look for the French jersey, and the style is reminiscent of the World Cup-winning squads of the past as France look to win their third World Cup.

Trivia

Did you know that France’s nickname in soccer is Les Bleus? This is French for “The Blues”, and is an obvious reference to their national color and the color of their jerseys. Les Bleus is regularly sang around the soccer stadium when France play, so try and listen out for it during the World Cup matches.

Squad

The France national soccer team squad for this year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar is incredibly strong, perhaps even stronger on paper than their 2018 World Cup-winning side. 2018 star Mbappé is four years older and more dominant now than he was then, and at the age of 23, he is just coming into his prime. Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has had a mixed few years at Manchester United, but he seems to be enjoying his soccer again, and his talent is undeniable.

2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema has been in red-hot form for Real Madrid for two or three years now, and with Giroud and Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann bolstering their attack, France look as dangerous as anyone else when it comes to attacking.

Goalkeepers Hugo Lloris and Alphonse Areola are safe pairs of hands between the sticks, but Manchester United’s Rafael Varane is a doubt for the World Cup after picking up an injury. Losing him would be a huge blow to France’s defense.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Preview

The FIFA World Cup in Qatar promises to be a spectacular event, and with multiple nations feeling confident and optimistic about World Cup success, we are sure to see some tense and nervy matches in the latter stages of the tournament. France are one of those teams, but they will be wary of being overconfident against some top soccer sides.

Qualifiers

The France national soccer team qualified easily for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, going through the tricky Group D unbeaten. France won five out of their eight matches and drew the other three, no mean feat against talented teams like Ukraine and Finland. France showed throughout the qualifying stage that they are incredibly strong defensively and their attack is up there with the best in the world.

France scored 18 goals in their eight matches and conceded only three, making them one of the most complete teams who have qualified for the World Cup. They drew their last two games, though, and France will hope that this was more of a minor blip than a sign of a downturn in the team’s fortunes.

Match 1: vs. Australia

France begin their 2022 World Cup campaign against a tricky Australia side on the 22nd of November. Australia are missing some of the big names they used to have in the past, like Tim Cahill or Mark Viduka, but their team has played very well over the last two years to qualify for this year’s World Cup. They are ranked 38th in the FIFA rankings, though, so 4th-ranked France shouldn’t have too many problems putting them away and claiming their first three points of Group D.

Match 2: vs. Denmark

On the 26th of November, France come up against a 10th-ranked Denmark side full of confidence and with star midfielder Christian Eriksen back in the lineup after his terrifying cardiac arrest during a match in Denmark’s 2020 European Championships campaign. Denmark also have Kasper Schmeichel and Andreas Christensen in their side, and the Danes will provide a stern test of France’s World Cup credentials when they meet. France’s free-flowing attack will come up against a strong Denmark defense, but France will be favorites for this match.

Match 3: vs. Tunisia

Finally, the 30th of November brings France’s final group game against a Tunisia side that has faltered a little in the last year or two. Tunisia are ranked 30th in the FIFA rankings, and France’s pacey forwards such as Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann should have a field day against a relatively slow Tunisian defense. This is going to be a tough game for Tunsia to get anything from, and Les Bleus will be confident of coming away from this match with three points and safe passage to the next round of the World Cup 2022.

Possible knockout stage

If France do manage to get through Group D without any major upsets, they should qualify for the next round as group winners, and then will probably play a dangerous Poland side led by lethal striker Robert Lewandowski in the round of 16. Although Poland pose a threat, France should be clear favorites to win that match and advance to the quarter-finals, where they would probably meet either a 5th-ranked England side or a technically gifted Ecuador.

If France manage to get past one of them, they will possibly play against neighbors Belgium in the semi-finals for the second World Cup in a row. If Belgium don’t make it that far, France will be looking at either perennial challengers Germany or a dangerous Portugal side. The final could be any number of strong teams in the other half of the draw, and there is no guarantee that France even make it there. This year’s World Cup is filled with strong teams, and France will be hoping for some good form and good luck if they want to repeat their great success of 2018.