Players to watch out of France in FIFA World Cup 2022
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the French will attempt to defend their title and become the first side to do so since Brazil won the competition in 1958 and 1962.
Stars like Paul Pogba, Hugo Lloris, Aurelien Tchouameni, Kylian Mbappe, and others are prepared to compete on the international stage once again in an effort to lead Les Bleus (Nickname of France) to back-to-back victories.
Four of the previous five World Cup champions, however, were unable to get past the group rounds at their following competition. This also goes to the French team from 2002, who were unsuccessful after winning the trophy for the first time in 1998. Can they therefore have a successful tournament this time and end the "holder's curse"?
Australia was admitted to the competition by defeating Peru on penalties in the inter-confederation playoffs, played in Qatar in June. For the Socceroos (Nickname of Australia), backup goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne was the hero. To send his country back to Qatar this winter, he saved the final Peru penalty kick. Redmayne has already established a case for starting in goal during the competition, although ex-Brighton goalkeeper Matt Ryan will still be competing for the starting position.
After reaching the semifinals of the postponed competition, Denmark enjoyed an unbelievable UEFA Euro 2020. Christian Eriksen had a heart attack on the field gave that campaign a terrifying beginning.
The stunned Danish team went on to enjoy one of their most memorable competitions. Their challenge came to an end when England eliminated them in the semi-finals, but the Danes had a lot to build on going into this year's World Cup so soon after a significant victory.
Some would argue that Tunisia will require a miracle to win this tournament given the calibre of the teams in Group D. They have never advanced past this point in a World Cup; their most recent tournament concluded at the group stage. However, seasoned players like Ferjani Sassi of Al-Duhail and Wahbi Khazri of Montpellier will strive to make a difference and push the team further than they have in the past.
In the case that France advances from their group, they will play a team from Group C in the round of 16, which might make for an exciting replay of the 2018 games where Les Bleus defeated the Argentines 4-3. Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Poland are the other teams in Group C, and all of them would make life a little bit easier for the French.
If Gareth Southgate's team advances that far, England might be one of their probable opponents in the quarterfinals. Before travelling to Lusail for the championship game and the opportunity to defend their trophy, they might play either Brazil or Portugal in the semifinals.
Here, we take a close look at five France team players who seem destined to shine once the action begins.
Hugo Lloris is still anticipated to start in net, despite the fact that Mike Maignan may be beginning to make a strong case for the France No. 1 shirt. Didier Deschamps stated in a press conference at the beginning of June that the Tottenham goalkeeper will be the final line of defence for Les Bleus at Qatar 2022 and possibly beyond.
With 139 appearances under his record, Lloris is on track to surpass Lilian Thuram's 142-game total and take the title of France's most-captained player. The persistent goalkeeper, who won the World Cup in 2018, is the model of reliability. In fact, he played in every one of Spurs' 38 league games during the 2021–22 season, a feat he had accomplished each of the previous ten years.
Raphael Varane struggled in his first season at Manchester United after a stellar decade at the middle of Real Madrid's defence. The former RC Lens stopper only made 22 appearances in the Premier League due to hamstring, foot, and thigh issues.
The last time he made so few appearances was in the 2014–15 season, which is a full seven years ago. But everyone in the France camp has reason to be optimistic given the solid start he has made to this current campaign.
Throughout the previous season, Varane also missed a handful of France's games, including three of the four Nations League games in June.
Varane also missed a number of France's matches during the previous campaign, including three of the four June Nations League games. Deschamps still sees the imposing center-back as the focal point of the Les Bleus defence despite his injury woes.
The Lille-born centre back still has a lot to give with his age-defying 86 international caps, enviable trophy collection that includes a World Cup and four Champions Leagues, and record as the national team's youngest-ever captain at 21 years and six months.
Les Bleus' rising star is Aurelien Tchouameni. Tchouameni, who is only 22 years old, is impressive for his maturity. The Frenchman was one of the top players in Ligue 1 last season and caught the attention of the greatest teams before choosing Real Madrid of La Liga. The former Monegasque is now a key member of Carlo Ancelotti's squad and has continued his spectacular development, earning the coach's admiration for his "power of character."
Tchouameni advanced through every level of the French national team's youth teams before getting his senior team debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina on September 1, 2021.
Tchouameni may undoubtedly be one of the mainstays of Didier Deschamps' system as Paul Pogba will miss France's World Cup defence as he needs more time to recover from knee surgery and N'Golo Kante will also miss Qatar 2022 due to injury. The 187 cm tall midfielder is a hard working person who is renowned for his physicality and defensive skills.
The Bondy-born attacking star had an incredible season at Paris Saint-Germain the last time around, winning his sixth Ligue 1 championship and setting a record by being the first player in the division to lead both the scoring and assist charts in the same season (28 and 17 respectively).
The 2022–23 season has gotten off to an equally devastating start for the rising wonderkid, who has four goals in as many games. Mbappe has consistently made a difference for Les Bleus since the 2018 World Cup final in Russia, scoring 23 of his 27 goals for France during that time. He will be a key player for Deschamps' team in Qatar.
He already has 57 caps and appears likely to shatter every national team record, including Thierry Henry's record for most goals scored in a career (51 goals). It is important to remember that the former Arsenal star had only scored eight goals for his nation at the same age as Mbappe.
With five victories in La Liga and the Champions League, a fourth Spanish Super Cup, and, for the first time since joining Los Merengues back in 2009, the Pichichi trophy for best scorer in the Spanish top division with 27 goals, the Real Madrid hitman stole the show during the 2021/22 season. The striker's 15 goals, which helped him win the continent's premier club championship, also helped him finish first in the Champions League scoring charts.
By scoring in Los Merengues' 2-0 UEFA Super Cup victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, the prolific shooter got this season started to a strong start. The former Olympique Lyonnais player is a strong candidate to continue in Zinedine Zidane's path.
Since his comeback to the national team lineup at EURO 2020, which was played in 2021, Benzema has established himself as a crucial player for Les Bleus, scoring a remarkable ten goals to raise his total to 37.
Benzema will be counted on by Deschamps to lead his team to success in Qatar 2022. The Real Madrid forward has 97 caps and is on the verge of making 100 appearances, a record only nine French players have achieved.
