France enjoyed an impressive run to win the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, with six wins and one draw in seven matches, scoring 14 goals as a result. Among the goals scored to claim the nation’s second World Cup trophy, strike duo Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann have contributed four goals each, making up for their UEFA Euro 2016 disappointment. Besides, after bowing out from the last 16 stage of the UEFA Euro 2020, one would expect France to come back stronger to defend their crown as the world champion.
France coach Didier Deschamps has recently released the provisional World Cup squad for Qatar later this year, with midfield stars Paul Pogba from Juventus and N’Golo Kante from Chelsea having already been ruled out before the squad selection headache kicked in for the France national football team staff. It is reported that the squad will be trimmed to a 23-man team before the World Cup. In other words, we will see two players from this 25-man squad being left for Qatar.
Llrois the Shot Stopper Once Again
Tottenham Hotspurs and France captain Hugo Lloris will be responsible for France’s goalkeeping duties once again, with the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar being his fourth participation in the biggest event in football. The 35-year-old Nice-born goalkeeper is on course to break Lilian Thuram’s all-time appearance record for France (142 Caps) since making his international debut in 2008. He will go level with Thuram should he be selected for all of France’s group fixtures in Qatar.
Weakened but a Solid Squad
Though enervated by significant players, especially in the midfield area, Didier Deschamps has included several young and rising stars to his squad to boost the vitality of the team, namely Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni from Real Madrid, Youssouf Fofana from Monaco and Matteo Guendouzi from Marseille.
The New Ballon d’Or Winner to Lead France’s Attack
Real Madrid’s captain Karim Benzema has capped off an outstanding season by winning the Supercopa de España, La Liga and UEFA Champions League, in which he has scored 44 goals in 46 matches in all competitions. His return to the national football team of France has been a blessing as his speed and goal scoring abilities as well as experience would help strike partner Kylian Mbappe to elevate his game even further. All eyes would be on Olivier Giroud as he is three goals shy from breaking Thiery Henry’s all-time goal scoring record for France (51).
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Rennes)
Defenders: Lucas Hernardez (Bayern Munich), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamencano (Bayern Munich), Raphael Varane (Manchester United)
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Matteo Guendouzi (Marseille), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Jordan Veretout (Marseille)
Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kinglsey Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig)
Notable Absentees:
N’Golo Kante (Chelsea), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Ferland Mendy Real Madrid, Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
(Photo Credits: Vbetnews)
