ANALYSIS – While it might seem daft now, many football fans had written off defending champions France before the first ball was kicked in their group. Partly because of the serious injuries that they have sustained just before and even during the World Cup, but also partly because of the dreaded “Curse of the Champions” that has gone on since 2010.
But now with the tournament in the latter stages, France is right there in the thick of it and looks like a serious contender to retain the title for the first time since Pele’s Brazil.
Will France Win the World Cup Again in 2022?
Why They Will:
Aside from a freak loss to Tunisia with a heavily rotated side, France has looked every part of the reigning champs. They dismantled a lively Australian side that seemed to cause them early trouble, 4-1.
They faced a stubborn and typically well-organized Denmark, who beat them just before the start of this competition 2-0 and came out with a 2-1 win. And against Poland, it seemed like men against boys at times as France ran away as comfortable 3-1 winners.
Their strengths are in their speed in attack, ruthlessness in front of the net, and quality on the wings. And if France does win the World Cup, it will be by and large thanks to the one man on everybody’s lips right now Kylian Mbappé.
While the numbers speak for themselves, scoring five and assisting one, it is the manner of the goals and his play that set him apart. His blistering pace, powerful strikes, and pinpoint precision should strike fear into the hearts of any defenders he may face in the rest of this tournament.
8 #FIFAWorldCup goals at the age of 23…
Generational 🌟 pic.twitter.com/sV1n1PTikx
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 4, 2022
Why They Won’t:
The only major blight France might have in their bid for retention is the fact that they really haven’t been tested. Denmark was probably their toughest match, but the Danish looked off it this tournament, so it’s hard to tell if it really was as big a challenge as it may have been predicted. England will look to be Les Bleus first real test, and vice versa for England. But with a player like Mbappe, you always have an advantage, regardless of who you play.
However, unless your name is Diego Armando Maradona, often times one player cannot drag a team to the championship single-handedly. You need a strong foundation behind Mbappé to make sure that you stay solid throughout the 90 minutes.
That is why France might crumble. France is the only team on their side of the bracket that has yet to keep a clean sheet. Their defence is shaky at times on the counter and slow to regain structure in transition. If France is to win this tournament for the second time in a row, they need to shape up their defences, or else they will be exposed by far better-attacking lines than the likes of Denmark and Poland.
Lack of depth with so many injuries also may pay a part for France as they go deeper into the tournament, but barring anymore injuries to major players, they might be able to just about pull it off.
Crunch Time for France
ENGLAND VS. FRANCE IN THE QUARTERFINALS 👀🍿 pic.twitter.com/0K2Frk3KAU
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 4, 2022
It remains to be seen how France will fare with their first real test on Saturday at 10 pm local time. For France to win, it might come down to outscoring England and perhaps relying on a few moments of brilliance from Mbappé. But it would be foolish to write them off now, especially now that they left the famous “Curse of the Champions” in the dust.
