The 2022 FIFA World Cup is drawing ever closer as the showpiece football tournament begins in a month. All the world’s best national teams will converge for the 22nd World Cup hoping to inscribe their name in gold and inspire generations.
The weather conditions and timing of the tournament in Qatar make this an unprecedented scheduling meaning the 2022 World Cup promises to be one like no other.
32 countries will be flying their flag in the Arab nation and guessing the winners of the tournament is never an easy task.
Meanwhile, as they battle for the ultimate reward, a few nations are naturally tipped to come out on top given the quality in their ranks.
Defending world champions France are one of the teams to beat and we evaluated France World Cup tips and analysis to guage their chances as top contenders for the FIFA World Cup.
Why are France big favourites for the 2022 World Cup?
Les Blues will fancy their chances of becoming just the third nation to retain their World Cup crown after Italy (in 1938) and Brazil (1962). However, they must first fulfil their role as Group D favourites ahead of Denmark, Australia and Tunisia.
France are one of the most talented teams at the World Cup and can fall back on an illustrious pedigree in the tournament, but the history of the national team suggests they are their own biggest opponents.
For all their talent, Didier Deschamps’ side have some teething problems as they have struggled with inconsistencies since becoming world champions in Russia.
The 2021 UEFA Nations League winners have won just one of their six matches in the same competition this year and narrowly avoided relegation as they were beaten twice by World Cup foes Denmark.
Injury to N’Golo Kante, question marks over Kylian Mbappe’s attitude and the off-pitch distractions surrounding Paul Pogba make it a less-than-ideal build-up for Les Blues. Nevertheless, the best teams step up in times of adversity.
The defending champions at four of the last five World Cups have gone out at the group stage and France will be well aware of that statistic having started that infamous run themselves two decades ago. While they should progress in a group with Denmark, Australia and Tunisia, they have a harsh reminder of complacency after underperforming at EURO 2020.
Lionel Messi is in no doubt of the quality possessed by the French and tipped them as big favourites at the World Cup:
“We always say the same great teams… but, if I have to choose, Brazil and France are the two great candidates to win the World Cup”. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner told DIRECTV Sports.
“They’ve had the same group [of players] for a long time, working well. France, aside from the last Euros when they were eliminated [in the last 16] and did badly, they have some impressive players. They have a clear idea and the same coach [Didier Deschamps]. Brazil is a bit the same [under Tite].”
The two-time world champions continue to produce talent and their current array of stars include Kingsley Coman, William Saliba, Antoine Griezmann, Aurelien Tchouameni, Theo Hernandez, the reigning Ballon d’Or, Karim Benzema, one of the best wingers in the world in Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe who is easily the brightest young player in world football.
The synergy and continuity forged under Deschamps is an area of strength coupled with the winning mentality maintained over time. Indeed, a pool of world-class talent also helps with a front trio that is unrivalled anywhere else in the game as well as a never-ending list of elite options at any stage of their career across every single position on the pitch.
France possesses a squad that many nations in Qatar would be jealous of; having lifted the 2018 World Cup by virtue of their grit, tenacity and ruthless attacking on the break, Deschamps’ biggest challenge is getting the perfect balance of hunger, experience, team spirit, commitment to the cause and of course quality.
Les Blues will be the only side capable of playing any style given the incredible talents available. Brazil and Argentina may be fellow favourites but France will have the best chance of keeping the trophy on European soil beyond a 20th year.
