France World Cup odds to win: Fixtures, schedule, route to Qatar 2022 final and chances of winning for Les Bleus

France’s bid to defend their FIFA World Cup title in 2022 sees them in Group D in Qatar, with Didier Deschamps’ side looking to become just the third nation to retain the trophy.

Les Bleus edged past Croatia in the final at Russia 2018 to secure a first major trophy since their World Cup and European Championships double from 1998-2000.

Deschamps still has a squad filled with world-class talent, but key figures from Russia four years ago will be absent, with Samuel Umtiti, N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi all missing. To make matters worse, Karim Benzema has also been ruled out with injury. 

Up against some familiar rivals in Australia, Denmark and Tunisia in the group stages, France are not expected to have any issues in reaching the knockout stages, but the revivals of Brazil and Argentina could be a serious threat to their crown.

MORE: France’s 26-man squad for Qatar — which players are on the plane for Les Bleus?

France World Cup odds to win

Based on their status as defending champions, France are justifiably in the list of the leading candidates to win the World Cup, according to the bookmakers, but the battle at the top is tight.

Three draws in eight unbeaten World Cup qualifiers, and a disastrous return of three defeats and two draws in six UEFA Nations League matches, has dented confidence in France, as Deschamps tries to rally his troops. A number of injuries have also seen their odds go in the wrong direction. 

Here’s how France’s pre-tournament chances to win the World Cup are rated by sportsbooks in several of the major global territories.

France World Cup fixtures schedule

France kick off their group stage against Australia in Al Wakrah on November 22, before facing Denmark in Doha on November 26, then wrapping up the group against Tunisia in Al Rayyan on November 30.

Meetings with the Danes and Socceroos are rematches from their group-stage encounters in 2018, with a 0-0 draw and a 2-1 win respectively.

However, they followed that up with successive UEFA Nations League losses to Kasper Hjulmand’s side in 2022.

Group D match schedule

France route to World Cup final

If France want to secure another final appearance they will face a battle in the knockout stages, with the path only eased slightly by securing top spot in Group D.

Round of 16

If France win Group D, they will take on the runners up of Group C, which looks to be a shootout between Mexico and Poland.

Second place in the group would pair them with the winners of Group D, with Argentina the strongly fancied side in that instance.

Quarterfinals

First or second place in Group D will decide which side of the draw France are placed in for the knockout stages.

Top spot in the group could pair them with England in the last eight, with second place — if they get past a likely meeting with Argentina — could pair them with the Netherlands or Senegal from Group A.

Semifinals

Either instance, of first or second place, brings the potential of a clash with Brazil in the last four, but rivals Spain or Germany are the strongest options if they top the group.

Final

If France and Brazil both finish on top of their respective groups, the schedule would keep them apart until a potential final, in a rerun of their 1998 showdown in Paris.

Potential knockout round schedule — if France finishes 1st in Group D

*Only in event of defeat in semifinals

Potential knockout schedule — if France finishes 2nd in Group D

*Only in event of defeat in semifinals