Tchouameni IN, Camavinga OUT: How will France line up at the 2022 World Cup?
Karan Tejwani
- Updated: 15 Nov 2022 11:02 GMT
- 3 min read
France go into the 2022 World Cup as defending champions on the back of an impressive run in Russia four-and-a-half years ago.
Things will be different, though, as some of the stars who were part of the 2018 triumph miss out this year due to injury including Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and Samuel Umtiti.
There is still plenty of talent in them to take them far this time around and the return of Karim Benzema – the reigning Ballon d’Or holder – only boosts them.
So, with Australia, Tunisia and Denmark to play in the group stage and probably some after, how could Les Bleus line-up in Qatar this winter.
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Tchouameni to lead midfield
In goal, captain Hugo Lloris, who lifted the famous trophy in Moscow four years ago, should continue and he’s rarely been challenged in net over the past decade.
Coach Didier Deschamps has been trialing with the back three in recent times, but it’s possible he goes to the trusted back four for the tournament and it supports his midfield selections.
At right-back, Benjamin Pavard, also part of the 2018 contingent, will continue and he will be joined by Raphael Varane at centre-back, provided he is fit after missing the last few games for Manchester United.
Joining them will be a new group of Jules Kounde and Theo Hernandez, both in their first World Cup – the latter is likely to start over his brother Lucas due to his attacking threat.
In midfield, replacing Pogba and Kante will be Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni and Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot, both of whom have had fine starts to the campaign so far.
Going forward, there is all the talent: Antoine Griezmann has been a favourite of Deschamps and will take the role just behind the centre-forward, as he always has for France.
On the left, Kylian Mbappe will star where he will be able to drift in to more central areas and come into more goalscoring positions.
On the right, Ousmane Dembele’s great form is hard to ignore and despite lacking in defensive contribution, he may be able to make a mark at the tournament this year.
Up top, despite Olivier Giroud’s excellent record for France, Benzema will take up the number nine role hoping to make up for the last tournament and add the World Cup to his glorious CV.
There’s plenty of depth to support them as well: in addition to the names mentioned, the likes of Christopher Nkunku, Matteo Guendouzi, William Saliba and Eduardo Camavinga are all there.
