World Cup 2022: France vs Australia Match Preview
Current World Cup champions and one of the tournament favorites, France, will start their journey in the World Cup 2022 with the match against Australia.
France went all the way in Russia 4 years ago and won it and this time they will try to keep the title, while Australians will try to qualify for the next round this time.
So, let’s have a closer look at this match, what to expect from it, who has better chances to win, etc.
World Cup 2022, Group Stage, Group D, France vs Australia
22 November, 2022, Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah
World Cup 2022: France National
France was one of the four European teams that participated at the first World Cup in 1930 and have appeared in 15 World Cup final tournaments. Besides, France is one of the 8 teams to ever win the World Cup title.
France won its first World Cup title in 1998 at home, beating Brazil 3-0 in the final match. In 2018, France won their 2nd World Cup title, this time defeating Croatia 4–2 in the final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Russia.
In 2006, France finished as runners-up, losing Italy 5-3 on penalties. Besides, 2 times France finished the tournament in 3rd place in 1958 and 1986, and in 4th place once, in 1982.
France Squad for the World Cup 2022
Coach: Didier Deschamps
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris, Alphonse Areola, Steve Mandanda.
Defenders: Raphael Varane, Theo Hernandez, Axel Disasi, Lucas Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Benjamin Pavard, William Saliba, Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano.
Midfielders: Adrien Rabiot, Eduardo Camavinga, Youssouf Fofana, Jordan Veretout, Matteo Guendouzi, Aurelien Tchouameni.
Forwards: Antoine Griezmann, Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappe, Kingsley Coman, Ousmane Dembele, Marcus Thuram, Randal Kolo Muani.
France’s Group A Fixtures
22 November 2022, France vs Australia
26 November 2022, France vs Denmark
30 November 2022, France vs Tunisia
World Cup 2022: Australia National
Australia has qualified for the World Cup final tournaments for 6 times in 1974, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.
In the first appearance, Australia left the 1974 tournament without scoring a goal. In 2006, they qualified for the Round of 16 and lost to Germany.
Australia Squad for the World Cup 2022
Coach: Graham Arnold
Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan, Andrew Redmayne, Danny Vukovic
Defenders: Nathaniel Atkinson, Milos Degenek, Aziz Behich, Joel King, Fran Karacic, Harry Souttar, Kye Rowles, Bailey Wright, Thomas Deng
Midfielders: Aaron Mooy, Ajdin Hrustic, Keanu Baccus, Jackson Irvine, Cameron Devlin, Riley McGree
Forwards: Martin Boyle, Awer Mabil, Mitchell Duke, Mathew Leckie, Jason Cummings, Garang Kuol, Jamie Maclaren, Craig Goodwin
Australia’s Group A Fixtures
22 November 2022, France vs Australia
26 November 2022, Tunisia vs Australia
30 November 2022, Denmark vs Australia
World Cup 2022 France vs Australia: Predictions
After winning the World Cup 2018, France also won the UEFA Nations League, however, after that things went wrong for them.
First, they were eliminated from Euro 2020 round of 16, then they had a gloomy performance in the 2022-23 edition, and were close to relegation to League B.
Besides, lots of off-the-field scandals and injury problems were walking next to the France National.
However, France are the defending champions, and even though they won only 1 of their last 6 matches, they are still considered one of the tournament favorites.
On the other side, Australia, who aren’t used to playing against this level of opposition and even failed to score in recent international matches against New Zealand and Saudi Arabia.
These teams faced each other 4 times so far and France won the last two matches in 2013 and 2018.
Also, this time France are the favorites to beat Australia and start the tournament on a positive note, but will Australia agree with this?
We’ll see on Tuesday.
Let us know your thoughts on this match in the comments!
