France are aiming to become the first since Brazil 60 years ago to retain the World Cup and Didier Deschamps only the second coach to win it twice.
Four-and-a-half years ago in Russia, France claimed their second World Cup, dismantling Croatia 4-2 in the final, a clinical attacking performance underpinned by a solid midfield and disciplined defence. While many of the key figures from that triumph remain - Hugo Lloris, Raphael Varane, Antoine Griezmann and star striker Kylian Mbappe - there have been some significant changes to their personnel.
The area that has seen the biggest change since 2018 is in France's defence. While Manchester United ’s Varane remains, he has a new central defensive partner in Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano, who has replaced Samuel Umtiti.
In Russia, the right-back slot was filled by Benjamin Pavard and the left-back by Lucas Hernandez. Although Pavard made the squad, Deschamps has chosen Barcelona ’s Jules Kounde, ostensibly a centre-back, to play at right-back, where he will be deployed against England on Saturday.
Hernandez started France’s opener in Qatar, a 4-1 win over Australia, but suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, ruling him out of the tournament. His brother, Theo, replaced him at left-back and will continue there against the Three Lions.
In midfield, Deschamps is without two of his key players from four years ago, with N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba absent because of injury, while Blaise Matuidi, who operated on the left of a 4-2-3-1 formation in Russia, did not make the squad.
Without the industry and belligerence of Kante in midfield, France have less protection there, something England will look to exploit with the direct running of Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice.
Can England knock out the World Cup holders on Saturday? Have your say in the comments!
Karim Benzema’s withdrawal from the France squad, after sustaining an injury in training before the tournament, has seen Griezmann - used to playing as a No.10 - used in a deeper role, alongside Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni.
In attack, France rely on a front three of Ousmane Dembele, Olivier Giroud and Mbappe. Only England, with 12 goals, have scored more than France’s nine in Qatar, with Mbappe plundering five of those to underline the unique threat he will pose.
At the last World Cup, Mbappe operated from the right but has since switched to the left, with devastating consequences. As well as his goals in Qatar, Mbappe has provided two assists for Giroud, who has found the net three times.
Despite the high-profile losses of Kante, Pogba and Benzema, France are arguably stronger than they were four years ago, with England needing to be at their very best on Saturday if they are to depose the holders.
