For France to successfully defend their World Cup title, they will need to do something that none of the European teams had done so far in the 21st century - to avoid being relegated from the group stage after winning the title four years ago.
The trend was started by none but France when they were crowned as World Cup champions for the first time in 1998, but they suffered a humiliating first-round exit in the 2002 World Cup. Since then, Italy (Champions 2006), Spain (Champions 2010), and Germany (Champions 2014) have suffered a similar fate.
Can Didier Deschamps buck the trend this time and mastermind one last hurrah before the team undergoes an awaited transition? They have a deep reservoir of the talent pool, their players feature for elite teams in elite leagues, and are accustomed to soaking up the pressure of high-octane games. Beating Australia and Tunisia should be a cakewalk for them. The only real bump in the group stage seems to be Denmark.
But the same could have been said for this year's UEFA Nations League, where they were pooled alongside Croatia, Austria, and Denmark. Theoretically, France should have qualified without much hassle, but they ended the tournament with three defeats, two draws, and just one win. The underwhelming campaign laid bare the vulnerabilities of this French team, leaving Deschamps with more questions than answers.
This story is from the November 2022 edition of Man's World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2022 edition of Man's World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Is Wearing Make-Up Normal For A Man?
The male beauty industry is expanding, however what do men in beauty need to do to destigmatise it?
Achieving Your Fitness Goals
Rohit Kamble
VIJAY VARMA
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE RED HERRING
How Football Is Finding Its Voice
As the Indian Super League celebrates its tenth anniversary, we understand how the fandom in Indian football has become more vocal and organised, with some clubs also seeing the rise of Ultras groups
Through The Looking Glass
Where does the AR tech in India stand today? We try to find out after spending a few weeks with the Rokid AR Joy
Zaeden Your New 5-am friend
The singer-songwriter who is a popular name in the independent music scene, has recently dropped his highly-anticipated EP 5 am. The dance pop delves into the poignant theme of long-distance relationships, is a charming piece that is already climbing the charts
THE MACALLAN M 2023 LAUNCHES IN INDIA, REDEFINING LUXURY IN SPIRITS
With limited 10 handpicked bottles gracing the shores of India, The Macallan M 2023 stands as the pinnacle of exclusivity
American artist Grant Garmezy's magic of glassblowing
From fire to form, he takes us through one of the most exciting, adrenaline-pumping crafts out there
Haute Couture On Four-Wheels
It takes a village to build the world's (allegedly) most expensive.
Riding India's Electric Two-Wheeler Wave
India's electric two-wheeler market is booming with over 640,000 units sold by December 2023, despite consumer apprehensions and the call for better infrastructure