Viva la France



The French have a long World Cup tradition including coming second in the last World Cup in Germany. They have a new look team that struggled to even make it to the finals in South Africa but it’s hard to totally discount this world football powerhouse.

Head Coach Raymond Domenech

Team Captain Patrick Viera (Manchester City)

FIFA Ranking 7

France was one of the four European teams that participated in the inaugural World Cup in 1930, and is one of seven national teams to have won the World Cup: in 1998 they hosted the competition, defeating Brazil 3–0 in the final.

Since 2006 a new selection of senior figures stepped forward. Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, William Gallas, Jeremy Toulalan and Lassana Diarra represent the leadership group that will make up the backbone of the French team. Meanwhile, the emergence of Yoann Gourcuff and the talent of Franck Ribery will give them an exciting new look in attack.

Domenech has yet to lift any silverware, but he is now the country’s longest serving national coach, and can point to a FIFA World Cup Final appearance as the highlight so far of a career that has had a steady upwards trajectory.

France in many ways were lucky to make the World Cup, as it took an extra-time goal in their play-off with Ireland to give them a 2-1 aggregate win and finally send them through. Pessimists will focus on the team’s troubles in securing a ticket to the main event, while optimists will recall that they also flirted with disaster ahead of Germany 2006, before going on to reach the final.

Odds to win the World Cup: 18/1 (£11.50)