No men’s world champions have successfully defended their title since Brazil kept the crown in Chile 60 years ago. The feat has been accomplished only twice in the 92-year history of the World Cup, although the possibility of a curse upon the holders is the least of Didier Deschamps’ concerns ahead of France’s pursuit of the hat-trick.
Deschamps seemed worry-free before Tuesday’s opener against Australia, in fairness, as he posed with a host of star-struck journalists who embarrassingly asked for selfies at his pre-match press conference. As for that so-called curse: “This is based on statistics, probabilities and facts,” the France head coach said, validating a theory he was attempting to dismiss. “We have our objective. Everything that came before is on the sideline now. We will be ready.”
