France 2022 World Cup squad and preview
France’s 2022 World Cup squad has been revealed – and the holders have no star names like Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and now Karim Benzema.
The Real Madrid striker – and recent winner of the Ballon d’Or – will miss the game after pulling out of the French team on the eve of the tournament with a thigh injury.
Highly rated RB Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku also pulled out with an injury shortly before the first World Cup match and was replaced by Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani.
So what can we expect from Didier Deschamps’ side?
The French team that won the World Cup in Russia was a paradox. Overly defensive, the opponents said, but still managed a record 11 goals in the knockout phase, including four in the final. Unnecessarily careful, the critics thought. But here’s Benjamin Pavard, charging forward from right-back to score FIFA’s Goal of the Tournament in a nonsensical 4-3 win over Argentina.
The idea that Les Bleus’ 2018 vintage had no identity is wrong – their identity was simply to win. Modeled in the likeness of series winner Didier Deschamps, their manager, they formed a chameleon-like squad, following the right strategy from game to game to get through the rounds.
Since that glorious day in Moscow there has been the disappointment of an unexpectedly early exit from Euro 2020, losing to Switzerland on penalties in the last 16, but also a reminder of how good France are at their best, going through last year’s Nations League final. win October. After trailing Belgium 2-0 at half-time in the semi-final before recovering to win 3-2, they came from behind again to beat Spain in Milan’s showpiece with goals from Kylian Mbappé and the timeless Karim Benzema, retrieved from the international wilderness. The victory sharpened their lead over the real deal in Qatar.
Many key artists from 2018 are still integral members of this side. That’s understandable given their pedigree, but there’s also a legitimate concern that some of those regular starters – Raphael Varane, Oliver Giroud, Antoine Griezmann to name just three – are no longer at the elite level needed to back them up. to win back-to-back World Cups. . For example, Griezmann is now almost exclusively used as a super sub by Atletico Madrid. Meanwhile, France’s Nations League title defense quickly turned into a relegation battle with defeats to Croatia and Denmark at home and away.
Set against such doubts is the emergence of a talented new group – led by William Saliba and Aurelien Tchouameni – who can force their way into Deschamps’ starting eleven once the action gets underway. It is the task of the disposable water carrier to find the right balance and to guarantee results.
To some extent, Qatar 2022 could mean passing the baton to France. However, they will still be favorites no matter who makes their lineup.
Last shift
Squad France 2022 World Cup: The full team
- GK: Hugo Lloris, Tottenham
- GK: Alphonse Areola, West Ham
- GK: Steve Mandanda, Rennes
- DF: Benjamin Pavard, Bayern Munich
- DF: Jules Kounde, Barcelona
- DF: Raphael Varane, Manchester United
- DF: Theo Hernandez, AC Milan
- DF: Lucas Hernandez, Bayern Munich
- DF: Benoît Badiashile, Monaco
- DF: Ferland Mendy, Real Madrid
- DF: Dayot Upamecano, Bayern Munich
- DF: Ibrahima Konate, Liverpool
- DF: William Saliba, Arsenal
- MF: Eduardo Camavinga, Real Madrid
- MF: Youssouf Fofana, Monaco
- MF: Matteo Guendouzi, Marseilles
- MF: Aurelien Tchouameni, Real Madrid
- MF: Adrien Rabiot, Juventus
- MF: Jordan Veretout, Marseilles
- FW: Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona
- FW: Olivier Giroud, AC Milan
- FW: Antoine Griezmann, Atletico Madrid
- FW: Kylian Mbappe, PSG
- FW: Randal Kolo Muani, Eintracht Frankfurt
- FW: Kingsley Coman, Bayern Munich
France top scorers
These are France’s 2022 World Cup top scorers so far:
3 goals: Kylian Mbappe
2 goals: Olivier Giroud
1 goal: Adrien Rabiot
France yellow cards
These are France’s yellow cards so far:
1: Jules Konde
Manager
Who is France’s national coach for the 2022 World Cup?
An arch-pragmatist and excellent man-manager, Didier Deschamps is well suited to the fast-paced challenges of a tournament. His coolness, adaptability and experience will be the keywords. He is also one of only three men to have won the World Cup as a player and as a manager, and after ten years in charge his desire for further accolades remains strong.
Star player
Who is France’s star player for the 2022 World Cup?
Kylian Mbappe scored four goals in Russia 2018, becoming the first teenager since Pele 60 years earlier to score in a World Cup final. At 23, the PSG star is now an even more complete finisher and a better all-round footballer. He is driven by a desire to set things right after his missed penalty in France’s shock defeat to Switzerland at Euro 2020.
How many players can France bring to the 2022 World Cup?
National managers were allowed to bring 26 players to last summer’s European Championship at a major tournament for the first time as a special measure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now it has been announced that teams of 26 players will return for the World Cup in Qatar, an expansion of the usual 23-man squads.
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