Do France have the strongest World Cup squad? We analyse Les Bleus

Squad preview ahead of Russia

France are shaping up as one of the main contenders at the World Cup in Russia.

Les Bleus boast quality and experience all over the pitch and have a manager in Didier Deschamps who is now in his sixth season with the national side.

The one-time tournament winners are third-favourites at 6/1 to add victory in 2018 alongside their only previous success on home soil in 1998. The Coral News Team have analysed why…

Experience

Some critics would argue Deschamps’ 23-man-squad lacks experience. But we don’t think that quite holds up. An average age of 26 is hardly young and nine of the current crop also featured in the side that reached the Euro 2016 Final.

Five of the group have over a half-century of international caps which is more or less in line with the average for other nations. Of those that don’t, N’Golo Kante, Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane can hardly be considered newcomers to the big stage. They also have an exciting youth element, which the Coral News Team will come onto a bit later.

Genuine quality

Recent World Cup winners have been built around a formidable spine.

Germany had Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos and Miroslav Klose in 2014. Spain could call upon Iker Casillas, Carles Puyol, Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Xavi and David Villa in 2010.

France’s 2018 squad has echoes of those great sides. A spine of Hugo Lloris, Varane, Kante, Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann is as good as any in Russia this summer. Not only is it a quintet of genuine quality at the top-level. But it is also a quintet with considerable experience of winning major tournaments and cup competitions.