France
France

The French may consider themselves lucky to be at the 2010 World Cup, but now that the controversy of the Thierry Henry handball that got them past Republic of Ireland in the play-offs has started to die down, they must be considered contenders.

Winners in 1998, this current group of players is nowhere near that standard, but they showed in 2006 that they should not be underestimated and do have genuine match-winners in their squad.

They will not be the most popular team in South Africa, but they may be one of the best.


Coach: Raymond Domenech
Nickname: Les Bleus
Honours: 1998 World Cup champions; 1984, 2000 European champions; 2001, 2003 Confederations Cup champions
Previous World Cup appearances: 12 (1930, 1934, 1938, 1954, 1958, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006)
Best World Cup finish: Winners (1998)


 

Roberto Carlos walks off the pitch