When France fell behind to Australia early on in their World Cup opening fixture, thoughts immediately turned to the many disastrous previous defences of the title we have witnessed.
Italy in 2010, Germany in 2018, France themselves in 2002 – this tournament only gets harder when you are the holders.
However, by full-time, Didier Deschamps’ men had turned the game entirely on its head to win 4-1, showing why it is entirely possible they could win back-to-back World Cups.
One of those many reasons is an enviable strength in depth, which could come into play when the French contest their second group game against Denmark.
Here is how they could line up for their next Group D outing.
MORE: France vs. Denmark prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets for World Cup 2022 Group D
France lineup vs. Denmark
France confirmed lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): . Lloris (GK) – 5. Kounde, 4. Varane, 18. Upamecano, 22. T. Hernandez – 8. Tchouameni, 14. Rabiot – 11. Dembele, 7. Griezmann, 10. Mbappe – 9. Giroud.
- Injured: Benzema, L. Hernandez, Coman
- Suspended: none
Deschamps was forced into one change at the back after Lucas Hernandez suffered a knee injury that has ruled him out of the rest of the tournament. His brother Theo Hernandez replaces him at left-back.
Lucas joins Karim Benzema in taking no further part, after the Ballon d’Or winner was ruled out on the eve of the tournament.
Ibrahima Konate impressed against Australia but, with Raphael Varane now fully fit, the Liverpool man finds his place gone with Varane into the lineup. Kingsley Coman was the only other doubt after missing training on Friday, and he’s not in the lineup, while Jules Kounde takes over at right-back for Benjamin Pavard.
The Tricolore 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚-𝙪𝙥 to face Denmark 👊
Kick-off at 5pm CET🇫🇷🇩🇰 | #FRADEN | #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/tEPYZkxYFK
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) November 26, 2022
France World Cup squad
Here are the 25 names on France’s current World Cup squad in Qatar:
| Position | No. | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | 23 | Alphonse Areola | West Ham (ENG) | 29 | 5 |
| GK | 1 | Hugo Lloris | Tottenham (ENG) | 35 | 139 |
| GK | 16 | Steve Mandanda | Rennes (FRA) | 37 | 34 |
| DEF | 3 | Axel Disasi | Monaco (FRA) | 24 | 0 |
| DEF | 21 | Lucas Hernandez | Bayern Munich (FRA) | 26 | 32 |
| DEF | 22 | Theo Hernandez | AC Milan (ITA) | 25 | 7 |
| DEF | 24 | Ibrahima Konate | Liverpool (ENG) | 23 | 2 |
| DEF | 5 | Jules Kounde | Barcelona (SPA) | 23 | 12 |
| DEF | 2 | Benjamin Pavard | Bayern Munich (GER) | 26 | 46 |
| DEF | 17 | William Saliba | Arsenal (ENG) | 21 | 7 |
| DEF | 18 | Dayot Upamecano | Bayern Munich (GER) | 23 | 7 |
| DEF | 4 | Raphael Varane | Manchester United (ENG) | 29 | 87 |
| DEF | 13 | Youssouf Fofana | Monaco (FRA) | 23 | 2 |
| MID | 25 | Eduardo Camavinga | Real Madrid (SPA) | 19 | 4 |
| MID | 6 | Matteo Guendouzi | Marseille (FRA) | 23 | 6 |
| MID | 14 | Adrien Rabiot | Juventus (ITA) | 27 | 29 |
| MID | 8 | Aurelien Tchouameni | Real Madrid (SPA) | 22 | 14 |
| MID | 15 | Jordan Veretout | Marseille (FRA) | 29 | 5 |
| FWD | 11 | Ousmane Dembele | Barcelona (FRA) | 25 | 28 |
| FWD | 20 | Kingsley Coman | Bayern Munich (GER) | 26 | 40 |
| FWD | 9 | Olivier Giroud | AC Milan (ITA) | 36 | 114 |
| FWD | 7 | Antoine Griezmann | Atletico Madrid (SPA) | 31 | 110 |
| FWD | 10 | Kylian Mbappe | PSG (FRA) | 23 | 59 |
| FWD | 26 | Marcus Thuram | Bor. M’Gladbach (GER) | 25 | 4 |
| FWD | 12 | Randal Kolo Muani | Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) | 23 | 2 |