Reigning World Cup champions France get their title defense underway when they face Australia in Group D at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah. Didier Deschamps believes that he has concocted the ideal starting XI that he will send Les Bleus into the tournament with as they seek to avoid the curse of the titleholders which has seen the likes of Germany and Spain fall victims in recent editions and exit in the group stage. Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante, Presnel Kimpembe, Mike Maignan and Christopher Nkunku have been ruled out of the Qatar event so the midfield picks itself to a degree, while Raphael Varane survived a significant injury scare to be included and Karim Benzema has fitness issues of his own.
Let's get to the lineup breakdown, and how I think the French team sheet will look in a rough 4-3-1-2 system:
Golazo Starting XI Newsletter
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Keeper
Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur): Deschamps' captain of choice and France's most senior shot-stopper. Had Maignan been fit, there might have been a little pressure on the 35-year-old. However, with the AC Milan man as good as out, there will be absolutely zero debate on this position unless Lloris' availability is compromised at the very last minute.
Defenders
Right back -- Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich): Arguably the weakest link in France's defense, this is where Deschamps' loyalty factor comes into play. Up until the start of this season, the 26-year-old's starting role claims were dubious along with many of his defensive teammates. A solid start to the campaign in Germany has quelled some of those concerns, though. Assuming that he is deployed in the central defensive unit and not in an advanced role on the right, Pavard provides continuity alongside Raphael Varane and Presnel Kimpembe.
Center back -- Raphael Varane (Manchester United): Currently a doubt given his recent scare, the 29-year-old would have been a major blow for Deschamps. Form and fitness issues aside, Varane should start as he is one of the most trusted on-pitch lieutenants his manager has. Life post-Real Madrid has been a bit of a struggle, but the RC Lens youth academy graduate remains a defender of great quality when at his best. If he is fit enough to start, expect him to form the cornerstone of this back line. Without him, it will look massively different.
Center back -- William Saliba (Arsenal): With Kimpembe being forced out of the reckoning and Axel Disasi called up as his replacement, the Gunners' defensive stalwart now might be needed from the off. There is a possibility that Deschamps prefers to use Pavard through the middle and tries Jules Kounde at right back once more, but Saliba is the obvious form-based option to partner with Varane -- assuming the United man is apt. Bayern's Lucas Hernandez is another candidate on the left side of the central defense, but will likely be needed for solidity as a left back.
Left back -- Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich): While brother Theo represents a more attack-minded option, Lucas should provide the sort of defensive solidity that Deschamps will also expect from Pavard or Kounde on the right. Essentially, it is four capable central defenders playing as a back four with Pavard and Lucas Hernandez expected to tap into their versatility to ensure that the back line is locked up tight.
Midfielders
Right central midfield -- Youssouf Fofana (Monaco): Whoever Deschamps goes with in the middle will be a relatively new face with the Monaco man arguably the most likely to feature given his good understanding with Aurelien Tchouameni and his consistent start to life at international level. Eduardo Camavinga also has familiarity with Tchouameni in his favor up against the likes of Matteo Guendouzi, but Fofana has the edge given his maturity.
Central midfield -- Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid): While Pogba was still a possibility, Tchouameni was likely to miss a starting role with Adrien Rabiot ahead of him in the pecking order. However, the Juventus man's unavailability has opened the door to the Real star coming in which he will now likely do. Regardless of whether or not Deschamps goes 4-3-1-2, 4-4-2 diamond, or even 3-4-1-2, Tchouameni is now likely to be in that XI.
Left central midfield -- Adrien Rabiot (Juventus): Along with Pavard, he was arguably one of the players most at risk of losing their starting role mid-World Cup until Pogba's absence was confirmed. The 27-year-old had been struggling with a poor Juve side until recently and Rabiot has flargely lattered to deceive since returning to the French ranks. Had Kante been fit, it would have likely been a bench role for the former PSG youth academy graduate with Theo Hernandez a better fit on the left, but Rabiot is now the most experienced midfielder available to Deschamps. The hope will be that he can flourish with a great deal of responsibility to handle.
Attackers
Central attacking midfielder -- Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid): Back in the game now that Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have settled their differences. Expect the 31-year-old to feature heavily in Deschamps' plans once more and to be the link between Karim Benzema, Mbappe and a Pogba-less midfield. Given his limited game time up until recently, Griezmann might be fresher than most which could be a blessing in disguise as he likes to grow into these tournaments. No Nkunku means no margin for error for the 2018 World Cup winner as one of the few creative hubs in this team.
Right-sided striker -- Karim Benzema (Real Madrid): Fresh from his Ballon d'Or success, the 34-year-old will be expected to play the focal point role in attack which should enable Mbappe to locate space to exploit with his searing pace. It has not been as complimentary as many expected thus far, but this is the tournament where Benzema and the PSG superstar need to get it right. As of one month before kick-off, there are more questions over Benzema's fitness than anything else. Any indication that the Real talisman is not ready and Olivier Giroud will likely step in from the bench.
Left-sided striker -- Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain): It is rarely dull in the 23-year-old's world at present and Deschamps would surely be grateful for a little less controversy than in recent years. Whether with France or PSG, Mbappe is the center of attention and that has not necessarily been conducive to his best form this season. However, he has spoken publicly of his preference for Les Bleus' system over Les Parisiens' and all eyes will be on how he and Benzema coexist in the early fixtures.
Complete France World Cup squad
- Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Rennes).
- Defenders: Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Axel Disasi (Monaco), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (FC Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Rapahel Varane (Manchester United).
- Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Jordan Veretout (Olympique Marseille), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Youssouf Fofana (AS Monaco), Matteo Guendouzi (Olympique Marseille), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid).
- Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembele (FC Barcelona), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Antonine Griezmann (Atletico de Madrid), Kylian Mbappe (PSG), Marcus Thuram (Borussia Monchengladbach), Randal Kolo Muani (Eintracht Frankfurt).
