Paris: Didier Deschamps’s army to Qatar with the best line-up France has seen in recent times. The French team is coming to repeat the title with the most famous forward line in the world. The main feature is that the Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, who was kept out of the team for years due to the blackmail case, is lining up in the World Cup team. The player has been a part of the national team since the 2020 Euro Cup.
This time, France passed the qualification stage without such tough opponents. Coach Deschamps hopes that the defeat to Denmark and Croatia in the UEFA Nations League is a threat, but when they reach the big games, everything will be easy. 11 players who were part of the team that lifted the trophy in the Russian World Cup will be in the 26-member squad this time.
Kylian Mbappe, the best attacker France has seen in recent times, is spearheading the team. Mbappe, who won the best young player award in 2018, is the most valuable player in Europe. Fast and smart, with feet on the same rhythm, will jump on the field and will be crucial in the progress of the team in Qatar.
Karim Benzema, who scored 27 goals in La Liga and led Real Madrid to the Champions League last season, will join Mbappe in attack. Although he has recovered from his leg injury in September, there are concerns that it will affect his performance. The player scored 15 goals in the Champions League alone. Benzema’s special on the field is his finishing skills and quick movements.
Hugo Lloris is Deschamps’ first priority as a goalkeeper. In the last World Cup, the player who stood in front of the team’s goal net with magical hands, later made a name for himself in the national team with consistent performance.
Aurelien Tecumenei, who has seen Real’s success in the midfield, will arrive to fill the void of N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba.
Team: Goalkeepers: Alfonso Andola (West Ham), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Rene).
Defence: Lucas Hernandez (Bayern), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Prisnel Kimpembe (PSG), Ebrahi Konade (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern), William Saliba ( Arsenal), Diot Upamicano (Bayern) and Raphael Varane (United).
Midfield: Eduardo Kamavinga (Real), Youssef Fofana (Monaco), Mathieu Guendouzi (Marseille), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurelian Takumeni (Real), Jordan Verretout (Marseille).
Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real), Kingsley Coman (Bayern), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Kylian Mbappe (PSG), Christopher Nkunku (Leipsish).