Defending World Cup champion France entered the tournament as one of the favorites, and having topped Group D, have escaped the “curse of the champions” (the last three World Cup champions were all eliminated in the group stage of the following tournaments). France vs. England (December 10, 2 p.m. ET) set up an exciting matchup of Kylian Mbappé against England keeper Jordan Pickford and England’s Harry Kane against keeper Hugo Lloris. Les Bleus emerged victorious with a 2-1 victory, setting up a semifinal against Morocco, which it won 2-0. France faced Lionel Messi and Argentina in the World Cup final, which the Argentinians won in dramatic fashion on penalties after the game finished 3-3 after extra time.
World Cup final: France vs. Argentina
Match | Date | Time (ET) | Stadium |
France vs. Argentina (Winner: Argentina) | December 18, 2022 | 10 a.m. | Al Bayt Stadium |
How to watch France vs. Argentina World Cup final for free from anywhere
In France, you can stream the games on TF1. The following streaming services from around the world will also broadcast World Cup matches online for free:
Territory | Language | Rights holder(s) | Price |
Australia | English | SBS | Free |
Belgium | French | RTBF (French) | Free |
Belgium | Dutch | VRT (Dutch) | Free |
France | French | TF1 | Free |
Germany | German | ARD | Free |
Germany | German | ZDF | Free |
Ireland | English | RTÉ | Free |
Italy | Italian | RAI | Free |
Netherlands | Dutch | NOS | Free |
Portugal | Portuguese | RTP | Free |
Spain | Spanish | RTVE | Free |
United Kingdom | English | ITV | Free |
Poland | Polski | TVP | Free |
Sweden | Svenska | SVT | Free |
Sweden | Svenska | TV4 | Free |
South Korea | Korean | SBS | Free |
South Korea | Korean | KBS | Free |
South Korea | Korean | MBC | Free |
Japan | Japanese | Dentsu | Free |
Denmark | Dansk | DR | Free |
Norway | Norsk | NRK | Free |
Finland | Finnish | Yle | Free |
Finland | Finnish | MTV3 | Free |
Brazil | Portuguese | TV Globo | Free |
Mexico | Spanish | Azteca7 | Free |
Mexico | Spanish | Televisa (vix) | Free |
Group stage: France World Cup fixtures and match schedule
Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
Tue, Nov. 22 | France vs. Australia (Winner: France, 4-1) | 2 p.m. | Al Janoub Stadium |
Sat, Nov. 26 | France vs. Denmark (Winner: France, 2-1) | 11 a.m. | Stadium 974 |
Wed, Nov. 30 | Tunisia vs. France (Winner: Tunisia, 1-0) | 10 a.m. | Education City Stadium |
Final 26-man France World Cup roster
Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
Goalkeeper | Hugo Lloris | Tottenham (ENG) | 35 | 139 |
Goalkeeper | Mike Maignan | AC Milan (ITA) | 27 | 5 |
Goalkeeper | Steve Mandanda | Rennes (FRA) | 37 | 34 |
Defender | Lucas Digne | Aston Villa (ENG) | 29 | 46 |
Defender | Lucas Hernandez | Bayern Munich (FRA) | 26 | 32 |
Defender | Theo Hernandez | AC Milan (ITA) | 25 | 7 |
Defender | Presnel Kimpembe | PSG (FRA) | 28 | 28 |
Defender | Jules Kounde | Barcelona (SPA) | 23 | 12 |
Defender | Ferland Mendy | Real Madrid (SPA) | 27 | 9 |
Defender | Benjamin Pavard | Bayern Munich (GER) | 26 | 46 |
Defender | William Saliba | Arsenal (ENG) | 21 | 7 |
Defender | Dayot Upamecano | Bayern Munich (GER) | 23 | 7 |
Defender | Raphael Varane | Manchester United (ENG) | 29 | 87 |
Midfielder | Eduardo Camavinga | Real Madrid (SPA) | 19 | 4 |
Midfielder | Matteo Guendouzi | Marseille (FRA) | 23 | 6 |
Midfielder | Boubacar Kamara | Aston Villa (ENG) | 22 | 2 |
Midfielder | Adrien Rabiot | Juventus (ITA) | 27 | 29 |
Midfielder | Aurelien Tchouameni | Real Madrid (SPA) | 22 | 14 |
Forward | Karim Benzema (Injured) | Real Madrid (FRA) | 34 | 97 |
Forward | Ousmane Dembele | Barcelona (FRA) | 25 | 28 |
Forward | Kingsley Coman | Bayern Munich (GER) | 26 | 40 |
Forward | Olivier Giroud | AC Milan (ITA) | 36 | 114 |
Forward | Antoine Griezmann | Atletico Madrid (SPA) | 31 | 110 |
Forward | Randal Kolo Muani | Eintracht Frankfurt (FRA) | 23 | 2 |
Forward | Kylian Mbappe | PSG (FRA) | 23 | 59 |
Forward | Christopher Nkunku | RB Leipzig (GER) | 24 | 8 |
Star players in the France World Cup team
For this edition of the World Cup, the French team will have to do without star striker Karim Benzema, as the Real Madrid and Ballon d’Or winner was injured on the cusp of the tournament. Instead, the reigning World Cup champions will depend on the talents of forward Kylian Mbappé, goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris, and the likes of Marcus Thuram, who currently plays for Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany, has been picked to add firepower to Les Bleus on their quest to repeat as champions.
Who is France’s head coach?
Former player Didier Deschamps has been the head coach of France’s national team since 2012. As a player, he swiftly developed into a formidable defensive midfielder, winning the 1993 Champions League with Marseille. At Juventus, he appeared in four straight European finals, most notably the 1996 Champions League, and won three Serie A titles. His transition to coach has led to stints managing in Monaco, Juventus, and Marseille before becoming France’s national team coach. Under his leadership, Les Bleus reached the World Cup quarterfinals in Brazil in 2014 and the final of Euro 2016. Two years later, Deschamps successfully guided the French to victory over Croatia in the World Cup final in Russia, winning 4-2.
France national team strengths & weaknesses
What will the defending World Cup winner France do in Group D in 2022? We predict that the Blues will face some challenges in Qatar.
Strengths
With Mbappé in the team, France is likely to score many goals to see off Group D opponents Australia and Tunisia. Though Denmark could prove tricky, the depth of solid defenders in the French squad should be enough to keep Christian Eriksen and his cohort at bay, while the attackers get to work seeking the winning goals. How far Les Bleus can go into the knockout rounds is the million-dollar question.
Weaknesses
Didier Deschamps’ side will need to be extra cautious in their game against a plucky Denmark. There should be no question about France or Denmark’s ability to advance to the Round of 16—but a more favorable draw against the Group C runner-up will probably mean avoiding Argentina and Lionel Messi.
FAQ: About France 2022 world cup squad
When did France win the World Cup?
The 2018 World Cup was won by the French, who were merciless (4-2) against Croatia in the final on July 15 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. Twenty years after Zinédine Zidane’s two decisive headers at the Stade de France, the French players could win a historic back-to-back World Cup trophy!
How many times did France win World Cup?
France has won the FIFA World Cup twice: In 1998 and 2018. France was also the runner-up in 2006 and finished third in 1958 and 1986. France will aim to win it all again at the FIFA Wold Cup 2022 Qatar!
How many times has France been in the World Cup?
France has appeared at 16 World Cups, failing to qualify six times (1950, 1962, 1970, 1974, 1990, and 1994). France has won two World Cups, in 1998 and 2006, finishing third in 1958 and 1986.
How is France good at Football?
The 2018 World Cup title improved France’s FIFA ranking. Historically, France is tied for fourth with Argentina and Uruguay (two World Cup titles), behind Brazil (five titles), Italy (four titles), and Germany (four titles).