World champions France take on Australia in their first match of the 2022 World Cup in a repeat of their opening fixture four years ago.
Despite being heavy favourites, Les Bleus preparation for their World Cup defence has been blighted by injuries, with key players being ruled out right up to the days before this match.
The latest of these could be the biggest loss, with star striker and Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema being ruled out of the tournament with a quad injury, leaving a hole in the France starting striker spot.
Below is the latest information on the potential starting lineup that Didier Deschamps could choose ahead of the group stage match against Australia on November 22.
MORE: Can France win the World Cup?
France lineup vs. Australia
With Benzema’s absence being confirmed, France have a couple of options to choose from when searching for a replacement for their star striker.
Olivier Giroud would be the most likely option to lead the line against Australia thanks to his aerial ability and expert linking play, whilst Antoine Griezmann could also do the job if Deschamps wants to change styles.
With Paul Pogba and N’golo Kante ruled out of the tournament, France also need a new starting midfield; Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelian Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot are some of the options Deschamps may look towards. Youssouf Fofana could also sneak into the side.
Despite Presnel Kimpembe withdrawing from the squad through injury, France’s defensive stocks still look strong. We could see a combination of Raphael Varane, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano or Ibrahima Konate lineup at centre-back, whilst Benajmin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez look set to start in the full-back spots.
In the recent UEFA Nations League campaign, France went with multiple formations that varied between four at the back and formations with wing backs.
France predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): 1. Lloris (GK) — 2. Pavard, 18. Upamecano, 24. Konate, 21. Lucas Hernandez — 14. Rabiot, 25. Camavinga — 10. Mbappe, 7. Griezmann, 11. Dembele, 9. Giroud
France World Cup squad
Here are the 25 names on France’s current World Cup squad in Qatar:
| Position | No. | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | 23 | Alphonse Areola | West Ham (ENG) | 29 | 5 |
| GK | 1 | Hugo Lloris | Tottenham (ENG) | 35 | 139 |
| GK | 16 | Steve Mandanda | Rennes (FRA) | 37 | 34 |
| DEF | 3 | Axel Disasi | Monaco (FRA) | 24 | 0 |
| DEF | 21 | Lucas Hernandez | Bayern Munich (FRA) | 26 | 32 |
| DEF | 22 | Theo Hernandez | AC Milan (ITA) | 25 | 7 |
| DEF | 24 | Ibrahima Konate | Liverpool (ENG) | 23 | 2 |
| DEF | 5 | Jules Kounde | Barcelona (SPA) | 23 | 12 |
| DEF | 2 | Benjamin Pavard | Bayern Munich (GER) | 26 | 46 |
| DEF | 17 | William Saliba | Arsenal (ENG) | 21 | 7 |
| DEF | 18 | Dayot Upamecano | Bayern Munich (GER) | 23 | 7 |
| DEF | 4 | Raphael Varane | Manchester United (ENG) | 29 | 87 |
| DEF | 13 | Youssouf Fofana | Monaco (FRA) | 23 | 2 |
| MID | 25 | Eduardo Camavinga | Real Madrid (SPA) | 19 | 4 |
| MID | 6 | Matteo Guendouzi | Marseille (FRA) | 23 | 6 |
| MID | 14 | Adrien Rabiot | Juventus (ITA) | 27 | 29 |
| MID | 8 | Aurelien Tchouameni | Real Madrid (SPA) | 22 | 14 |
| MID | 15 | Jordan Veretout | Marseille (FRA) | 29 | 5 |
| FWD | 11 | Ousmane Dembele | Barcelona (FRA) | 25 | 28 |
| FWD | 20 | Kingsley Coman | Bayern Munich (GER) | 26 | 40 |
| FWD | 9 | Olivier Giroud | AC Milan (ITA) | 36 | 114 |
| FWD | 7 | Antoine Griezmann | Atletico Madrid (SPA) | 31 | 110 |
| FWD | 10 | Kylian Mbappe | PSG (FRA) | 23 | 59 |
| FWD | 26 | Marcus Thuram | Bor. M’Gladbach (GER) | 25 | 4 |
| FWD | 12 | Randal Kolo Muani | Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) | 23 | 2 |
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