Steve Foster
Well-known member
The French kick off their World Cup campaign against Honduras on Sunday night.
FRANCE
Prospects
It is now apparent that France's daily sports newspaper L'Equipe was rather hasty to ask "Is this the worst French team in history?" after the first leg defeat against Ukraine in a World Cup play-off.
If that game was the nadir for a France side still bruised by abject displays and player unrest at the last two major tournaments, then the 3-0 victory in the second leg has signalled a renaissance.
Coach Didier Deschamps says France "are no longer among the elite teams"; those that are will not relish facing them - though the loss of Franck Ribery to injury was a major blow on the eve of the tournament.
Key player
Striker Karim Benzema was briefly dropped from the national side last autumn amid a 15-match goal drought for France, but he has thrived as the spearhead of a new-look three-man attack with four goals in his last five internationals as of 7 June.
Benzema, 26, responded well to early-season criticism from Real Madrid's supporters, ending the season with 24 goals for the club in all competitions.
One to watch
Midfielder Paul Pogba , 21, has excelled since defying Sir Alex Ferguson and leaving Manchester United for Juventus in 2012. He was voted Europe's best Under-21 player for 2013 and Pogba's agent claims the midfielder is "as valuable as a Salvador Dali" painting.
France coach Didier Deschamps has hailed Pogba's athleticism and quality but says the player must learn to adopt "the highest level concentration and application".
The boss
A World Cup-winning captain in 1998, Didier Deschamps took charge after Euro 2012.
He had the worst record of any France coach after a year in the job, but his desire to build an athletic side that "imposes itself on its opponents" has gradually reaped results. He has also brought unity to the squad after years of dressing-room disharmony.
How they qualified
They became the first European side to overturn a two-goal deficit in the play-offs, beating Ukraine with an impressive 3-0 home win - albeit benefiting from an offside goal from striker Karim Benzema. Prior to that second leg, 84% of French fans had predicted failure. France went into the play-offs after finishing three points behind Spain in their group.
World Cup record
Winners in 1998, runners-up in 2006 and semi-finalists in 1958, 1982 and 1986, their best performances have tended to come close to home. Only once have they reached the knockout stage outside of Europe - that was at Mexico 86.
Fifa ranking: 17
Squad
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Stephane Ruffier (Marseille), Mickael Landreau (Bastia).
Defenders: Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle), Lucas Digne (Paris St-Germain) Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Laurent Koscielny, Bacary Sagna (both Arsenal), Eliaquim Mangala (Porto), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid).
Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye, Blaise Matuidi (both Paris St-Germain), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille).
Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Remy Cabella (Montpellier), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad), Loic Remy (Newastle, on loan from QPR).
HONDURAS
Prospects
Qualifying for a second successive World Cup was an unprecedented achievement, and Honduras coach Luis Fernando Suarez says "it's time to take the next step". A first World Cup win would represent the progress that Suarez seeks, but it is hard to disagree with the bookmakers' assessment of Honduras as tournament outsiders.
They are a physical and compact side who play 4-4-2 and it's a reflection of the team's lack of creativity that the full-backs tend to offer their most potent threat. Set pieces and counter attacks provide the Central American nation's best hope of causing an upset.
Key player
Jerry Bengtson was the team's nine-goal top scorer in the World Cup qualifying stage and is considered so important to the Honduran cause that he avoided sanction for walking out on the squad ahead of a game last summer.
Bengtson, 27, has yet to make an impact in Major League Soccer with New England Revolution but he has always scored goals for his country and is a particular threat with his aerial prowess.
One to watch
Winger Andy Najar was smuggled into the USA by his parents as a 13-year-old and he has proved to be one of Honduran football's best exports in his first full season with Anderlecht.
Now 21, Najar impressed with his pace and dynamism as the Belgian club won a third straight league title. Though not assured of a starting spot for his country, his qualities provide Honduras with a different option.
The boss
Colombian Luis Fernando Suarez has World Cup experience, having guided Ecuador to the last 16 for the first time in 2006 before they were knocked out by England.
Since taking charge of Honduras, he has led them to the semi-finals of the two most recent Gold Cups and coached the Olympic Games team that reached the quarter-finals at London 2012. .
How they qualified
They finished third in the final round of qualifying despite keeping just two clean sheets in 10 games. Highlights included 2-1 wins at home to the USA and away to Mexico, before a 2-2 draw in Jamaica sealed qualification.
World Cup record
They failed to win a game (D3, L3) in their two previous campaigns (1982 and 2010). While they did not score a goal in South Africa they were not embarrassed in losses to Chile and Spain, and salvaged pride with a draw against Switzerland.
Fifa ranking: 33
FRANCE
Prospects
It is now apparent that France's daily sports newspaper L'Equipe was rather hasty to ask "Is this the worst French team in history?" after the first leg defeat against Ukraine in a World Cup play-off.
If that game was the nadir for a France side still bruised by abject displays and player unrest at the last two major tournaments, then the 3-0 victory in the second leg has signalled a renaissance.
Coach Didier Deschamps says France "are no longer among the elite teams"; those that are will not relish facing them - though the loss of Franck Ribery to injury was a major blow on the eve of the tournament.
Key player
Striker Karim Benzema was briefly dropped from the national side last autumn amid a 15-match goal drought for France, but he has thrived as the spearhead of a new-look three-man attack with four goals in his last five internationals as of 7 June.
Benzema, 26, responded well to early-season criticism from Real Madrid's supporters, ending the season with 24 goals for the club in all competitions.
One to watch
Midfielder Paul Pogba , 21, has excelled since defying Sir Alex Ferguson and leaving Manchester United for Juventus in 2012. He was voted Europe's best Under-21 player for 2013 and Pogba's agent claims the midfielder is "as valuable as a Salvador Dali" painting.
France coach Didier Deschamps has hailed Pogba's athleticism and quality but says the player must learn to adopt "the highest level concentration and application".
The boss
A World Cup-winning captain in 1998, Didier Deschamps took charge after Euro 2012.
He had the worst record of any France coach after a year in the job, but his desire to build an athletic side that "imposes itself on its opponents" has gradually reaped results. He has also brought unity to the squad after years of dressing-room disharmony.
How they qualified
They became the first European side to overturn a two-goal deficit in the play-offs, beating Ukraine with an impressive 3-0 home win - albeit benefiting from an offside goal from striker Karim Benzema. Prior to that second leg, 84% of French fans had predicted failure. France went into the play-offs after finishing three points behind Spain in their group.
World Cup record
Winners in 1998, runners-up in 2006 and semi-finalists in 1958, 1982 and 1986, their best performances have tended to come close to home. Only once have they reached the knockout stage outside of Europe - that was at Mexico 86.
Fifa ranking: 17
Squad
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Stephane Ruffier (Marseille), Mickael Landreau (Bastia).
Defenders: Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle), Lucas Digne (Paris St-Germain) Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Laurent Koscielny, Bacary Sagna (both Arsenal), Eliaquim Mangala (Porto), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid).
Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye, Blaise Matuidi (both Paris St-Germain), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille).
Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Remy Cabella (Montpellier), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad), Loic Remy (Newastle, on loan from QPR).
HONDURAS
Prospects
Qualifying for a second successive World Cup was an unprecedented achievement, and Honduras coach Luis Fernando Suarez says "it's time to take the next step". A first World Cup win would represent the progress that Suarez seeks, but it is hard to disagree with the bookmakers' assessment of Honduras as tournament outsiders.
They are a physical and compact side who play 4-4-2 and it's a reflection of the team's lack of creativity that the full-backs tend to offer their most potent threat. Set pieces and counter attacks provide the Central American nation's best hope of causing an upset.
Key player
Jerry Bengtson was the team's nine-goal top scorer in the World Cup qualifying stage and is considered so important to the Honduran cause that he avoided sanction for walking out on the squad ahead of a game last summer.
Bengtson, 27, has yet to make an impact in Major League Soccer with New England Revolution but he has always scored goals for his country and is a particular threat with his aerial prowess.
One to watch
Winger Andy Najar was smuggled into the USA by his parents as a 13-year-old and he has proved to be one of Honduran football's best exports in his first full season with Anderlecht.
Now 21, Najar impressed with his pace and dynamism as the Belgian club won a third straight league title. Though not assured of a starting spot for his country, his qualities provide Honduras with a different option.
The boss
Colombian Luis Fernando Suarez has World Cup experience, having guided Ecuador to the last 16 for the first time in 2006 before they were knocked out by England.
Since taking charge of Honduras, he has led them to the semi-finals of the two most recent Gold Cups and coached the Olympic Games team that reached the quarter-finals at London 2012. .
How they qualified
They finished third in the final round of qualifying despite keeping just two clean sheets in 10 games. Highlights included 2-1 wins at home to the USA and away to Mexico, before a 2-2 draw in Jamaica sealed qualification.
World Cup record
They failed to win a game (D3, L3) in their two previous campaigns (1982 and 2010). While they did not score a goal in South Africa they were not embarrassed in losses to Chile and Spain, and salvaged pride with a draw against Switzerland.
Fifa ranking: 33
