France odds to win World Cup 2022: Squad, tactics, path to the final, ranking & form

France travelled to Qatar hoping to defend their World Cup crown — and they’re now one win away from achieving that.

Les Bleus were kings of the world four years ago, beating Croatia 4-2 in the final in Russia to secure their second crown. With a young team full of quality and potential, France will hope to use that as a springboard for more success. It certainly served them well so far.

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Latest France odds to win the World Cup

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France route to the World Cup 2022 Final in Qatar

Group stage results

France’s knockout stage run

After winning Group D and beating Poland, France went on to eliminate England in the quarter-finals. Morocco were a tough test in the semi-final, but France’s quality and clinical finishing won out, setting up the final with Argentina.

France World Cup 2022 squad

France players to watch at this year’s World Cup 2022

France top World Cup Golden Boot contender –  Kylian Mbappe

France are blessed with a number of top goalscorers at the World Cup in Qatar including Olivier Giroud, who became Les Bleus‘ all-time top scorer after bagging against Poland. But it has been all be about Kylian Mbappe, who upstaged the Milan forward on his big night with a world-class brace. You just can’t steal his spotlight.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward now has 33 goals in 64 games for France, already breaking into the top 10 and just 20 behind Giroud — a record he will look to take in the long-term. Mbappe was also key in helping them win the World Cup. At the age of just 19, Mbappe scored four goals including one in the World Cup final – becoming the first teenager to score in a World Cup final since Pele in 1958. At this World Cup he’s added another five, with no player scoring more, from an xG of 3.46.

France player to watch – Antoine Griezmann

France are blessed when it comes to attacking talent and Didier Deschamps has the unenviable task of trying to fit all of his players into one starting XI. Rather than leave someone out, Deschamps opted to field Antoine Griezmann in a slightly deeper central midfield role, and he’s been outstanding.

While Mbappe or Lionel Messi will likely win the Golden Ball, Griezmann has been one of the best players at the World Cup with an excellent all-round display. As well as creating more chances than any other player, Griezmann has also averaged 6.4 ball recoveries per 90, 2.2 tackles, 7.6 ground duels contested and 8.9 duels contested.

France emerging player to look out for – Eduardo Camavinga

The future is now for France when it comes to central midfield and it’s an ideal time for it to happen, with Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kane both missing the World Cup through injury. Camavinga was already showing signs of being a world class midfielder but has been thriving in midfield for Real Madrid this season, something that can also benefit France in these deep, deep stages of the tournament. The Frenchman has so far completed 92.06% of his passes in La Liga including 108 of 120 in the final third, while also completing nine of his 16 attempted take-ons.

France tactical analysis & formation at the World Cup

Deschamps’ pre-tournament preparations were plunged into major doubt after news surfaced that Karim Benzema had been forced to withdraw. The Ballon d’Or winner tore a muscle in his left thigh and has not been involved in Qatar, with Deschamps subsequently not drafting in a replacement on such short notice.

Without Benzema out through injury, Deschamps has looked to deploy Giroud up front alongside inside forward Mbappe to facilitate his 4-2-3-1, giving the Parisian sensation ample support up top. It’s a slight twist of his usual back-three. Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann have been the supporting cast on the flank and ‘in the hole’ respectively, while Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot have kept things tight in midfield. Giroud’s selfless hold-up play and bruising, body-on-the-line aggression gave France a different dimension up front at the 2018 World Cup to complement the pace-laden ferocity of Mbappe. It was a mutually beneficial partnership of speed, technical excellence and physical hustle.

France FAQs

Where are France in the Fifa world rankings?

France are currently fourth in the world rankings with only Argentina, Belgium and Brazil above Les Bleus.

Who is the France manager?

Didier Deschamps is the current France manager, brought in to replace Laurent Blanc in 2012 after the European Championships of that year. Deschamps has since led France to a quarter-final finish at the 2014 World Cup, runners-up spot at Euro 2016, World Cup glory in 2018 and a round-of-16 exit at Euro 2020. In winning the World Cup in 2018, Deschamps became the third man to win the tournament both as a player and a manager, after Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer.

Who is the current France captain?

Hugo Lloris is France’s captain and has been since February 2012, first named by Blanc who had previously rotated the armband across several players following Thierry Henry’s retirement.

How many times have France won the World Cup? 

The 2018 World Cup glory was France’s second crown having also won the tournament in 1998 as hosts, beating Brazil in the final. They reached the final once again in 2006 but were beaten by Italy on penalties, a game often remembered for Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt.

How many times have France competed in the World Cup?

Qatar is France’s 16th appearance at a World Cup finals, and they haven’t missed a tournament since 1994 (a run of two World Cups without France).

Who has scored France most goals in World Cup tournaments?

Just Fontaine has scored 13 goals for France at World Cup finals, more than any other player. All 13 of Fontaine’s goals came in the 1958 World Cup, a record which still stands today, and only three players have managed more World Cup goals than Fontaine in the competition’s history.

Which player from France has the most World Cup appearances?

Fabien Barthez and Thierry Henry both played 17 games for France at the World Cup, but they recently lost that record to Hugo Lloris, who made his 19th appearance in the semi-finals against Morocco.