The France World Cup 2022 squad has been playing at full tilt so far, even without stars names like Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante and Karim Benzema.
Olivier Giroud has been performing superbly up front for the World Cup holders, scoring four goals to overtake Thierry Henry and become the nation's record scorer. His link-up play has helped move France up the pitch during their games, allowing Antoine Griezmann to create from deeper positions while Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele keep their width on the flanks.
Despite being massively hit by injuries before - and during - the tournament, France have coped well. An opening win against Australia, and beating Denmark 2-1, ensured Didier Deschamps could rest his main players for their final group game against Tunisia, which they ultimately lost.
Consequently, their squad depth does seem an issue, but with greater periods of time between games and their talisman, Kylian Mbapppe, they're certainly capable of beating anyone.
Of course, losing Lucas Hernandez looked a massive lost for France, that is, until his brother Theo Hernandez replaced him and slot straight into the team at left-back. With Adrien Rabiot and Aurelin Tchouameni anchoring the midfield, France are still well-balanced, while Raphael Varane and Dayot Upamecano look a formidable partnership at centre-back.
The 2018 World Cup winners were described by detractors as being overly defensive and unnecessarily cautious, but this time around they have played with a swagger and an attacking verve nations haven't managed to cope with. Griezmann operating from deeper offers both greater attacking intent, but also a discipline the diminutive forward isn't always associated with.
Originally outsiders to retain their title, France looked well and truly centre of the favourites after defeating England in the quarter-finals. Beating Morocco in the semi-finals has now set up a clash against Argentina - victory for Les Bleus would see them become just the third nation to lift successive World Cups.
Final squad
France World Cup 2022 squad: The full team
- GK: Hugo Lloris, Tottenham
- GK: Alphonse Areola, West Ham
- GK: Steve Mandanda, Rennes
- DF: Benjamin Pavard, Bayern Munich
- DF: Jules Kounde, Barcelona
- DF: Raphael Varane, Manchester United
- DF: Theo Hernandez, AC Milan
- DF: Lucas Hernandez, Bayern Munich
- DF: Benoit Badiashile, Monaco
- DF: Ferland Mendy, Real Madrid
- DF: Dayot Upamecano, Bayern Munich
- DF: Ibrahima Konate, Liverpool
- DF: William Saliba, Arsenal
- MF: Eduardo Camavinga, Real Madrid
- MF: Youssouf Fofana, Monaco
- MF: Matteo Guendouzi, Marseille
- MF: Aurelien Tchouameni, Real Madrid
- MF: Adrien Rabiot, Juventus
- MF: Jordan Veretout, Marseille
- FW: Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona
- FW: Olivier Giroud, AC Milan
- FW: Antoine Griezmann, Atletico Madrid
- FW: Kylian Mbappe, PSG
- FW: Randal Kolo Muani, Eintracht Frankfurt
- FW: Kingsley Coman, Bayern Munich
France results
Group stage:
France 4-1 Australia
France 2-1 Denmark
Tunisia 1-0 France
Last-16:
France 3-1 Poland
Quarter-final:
England 1-2 France
Semi-final
France 2-0 Morocco
France top scorers
These are France's World Cup 2022 top scorers so far:
5 goals: Kylian Mbappe
4 goals: Olivier Giroud
1 goal: Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Theo Hernandez, Randal Kolo Muani
France yellow cards
Here are France's World Cup 2022 yellow cards heading into the semi-final:
1 yellow card: Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, Theo Hernandez
Manager
Who is France's manager for the 2022 World Cup?
As an arch-pragmatist and superb man-manager, Didier Deschamps is well-suited to a tournament’s quick-fire challenges. His coolness, adaptability and experience will be key. He is also one of only three men to have won the World Cup as a player and a manager, and after a decade in charge, his desire for further honours remains strong.
Star player
Who is France's star player for the 2022 World Cup?
Kylian Mbappe notched four goals at Russia 2018 and became the first teenager since Pele 60 years earlier to score in a World Cup final. At 23, the PSG star is now an even more complete finisher and better all-round footballer, and he’s driven by a desire to put things right after his penalty miss in France’s shock defeat to Switzerland at Euro 2020.
How many players are France allowed to take to the 2022 World Cup?
National managers were allowed to bring 26 players to last summer’s European Championship for the first time at a major tournament, as a special measure brought in due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now it has been announced that 26-player squads will return for the Qatar World Cup, an expansion from the usual 23-man teams.
