France World Cup 2018
1998 World Cup winners France look to erase the heartbreak of losing in the final of Euro 2016 and climb back to the top of the world in Russia. France were one of the first European teams to compete in the World Cup, alongside Yugoslavia, Belgium, and Romania, taking part in the very first one back in 1930.
History at the World Cup
They played in the first three finals, before World War 2, and even hosted the tournament in 1938. That was also the first time they had made it past the first round, reaching the Quarter Final. Between 1950 and 1986, their World Cup fortunes were mixed. Finishing third twice, and fourth once were the highs, but the lows included failing to qualify three times.
Following a third-place finish in 1986, a tournament they entered as champions of Europe, France hit a run of poor form. They failed to qualify for Italia ’90 and USA ’94, but were back at a finals tournament as the hosts in 1998. France went into the ‘98 tournament ranked 18th in the FIFA rankings, and many doubted they would get very far. However, a fair draw saw them face Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Denmark in the group stage and they won all three matches to top the group.
A last 16 encounter with Paraguay required extra-time, and they needed a penalty shoot-out to get past Italy in the Quarter Final. A Semi Final against Croatia was an unexpected fixture, which France won to advance to their first ever final.
Defending champions, and world number one, Brazil awaited in that final. Many critics wrote France off again, but they put in a performance of the highest level to win 3-0 and become world champions for the first time. Since then, it has been more mixed fortunes. A group stage exit as defending champions followed in 2002, before they lost to Italy in the 2006 final. Then, they failed to get past the group in 2010 before reaching the last eight in Brazil in 2014.
- World Cup Finals Appearances – 14
- Previous Best Performance – Winners
How they qualified
France came through qualifying relatively unscathed, topping a tough group that contained Sweden, Netherlands, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, and Belarus. They got off to a poor start, drawing 0-0 in Belarus, but they picked themselves up and did what they needed to, to ensure they would be taking part in Russia.
Defeat to Sweden and a draw with Luxembourg caused a few nervy moments but they ended up four points clear of the Swedes at the top of the group. Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann top scored for France in qualifying, with four goals apiece.
Coach/Manager
1998 World Cup, and Euro 2000, winning captain Didier Deschamps continues to lead France, and 2018 will be his sixth year in-charge.
He was appointed head coach on a two-year contract following the resignation of Laurent Blanc after Euro 2012.
Since taking over, he has led France to the World Cup Quarter Finals in 2014 and the final of Euro 2016, which they were the host nation for.
At the time of writing this, Deschamps has been in-charge of France for 72 matches, winning 45, drawing 13, and losing 14.
As a player, he was a tenacious, organised, intelligent, and versatile leader, and these are all qualities which he has carried over into his managerial career.
Star Players
The French squad is full of world class players, who play for some of the best teams in the best leagues in the world.
Players like Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba, and Alexandre Lacazette are just examples of the talent that France possesses.
Kylian Mbappe, the 18-year-old who Paris Saint-Germain have agreed to pay €180 million for, is an exciting rising star, whilst experience is brought to the squad by goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, defenders Bacary Sagna and Laurent Koscielny, and striker Olivier Giroud.
France have a fine mix of experience, youth, and in-their-prime players and that all adds up to an exciting and extremely dangerous football team.
France World Cup 2018: Assessing Their Chances & Odds
With the players available to France, it’s impossible to write them off and they must be considered one of the favourites to go all the way in Russia.
Most bookmakers, including Ladbrokes, have them priced as 11/2 third-favourites and that shows the belief that people have in France doing well at this World Cup. They have been drawn in a group with Denmark, Australia, and Peru, and should come through that pretty unscathed. There are obviously a few dangers, but the star-studded French team should top the group.
If they do win the group, which is priced at odds of around 1/3, they will move on to face the runners-up of Group D. This is the group containing Argentina, Nigeria, Croatia, and Iceland. So, whoever it turns out to be will provide a stiff challenge, but it’s one we believe France will overcome.
Then, they are likely to face either Uruguay, Spain, or Portugal in the Quarter Final. Again, it will be a tough match but one they can win. A probable Semi Final with Brazil is where we believe France will come unstuck.
Our France World Cup Prediction
Our prediction is that France win all three of their group matches to go through as Group C winners and face the runners-up of Group D. Then, tough victories in the last 16 and Quarter Final will set up a last four encounter with Brazil, and that will be where France’s World Cup adventure ends.