Sergio Gallardo

The "curse of the champions" haunts the French team

France

France is one of the top contenders in Qatar. The French team is 4th in the FIFA rankings. According to the bookmakers, they are the third favorite behind Brazil and Argentina.

Despite being favorites, France has the "curse of the champion" working against them. The last three champions, Italy, Spain and Germany, suffered from the curse consecutively.

In Germany 2006, Italy's team with Cannavaro, Nesta, Del Piero, Inzaghi..., beat France to lift their fourth World Cup. In South Africa 2010 they fell in the group stage...

Spain lifted its first World Cup in Johannesburg. That team had big names like Casillas, Xavi, Iniesta, Silva, Villa... In Brazil 2014, they were defeated in the group stage.

The last champion to suffer this curse was Germany. In 2014, they took Brazil by storm to get their fourth trophy. In Russia 2018, Löw's team went home in the group stage.

France was the clear winner in Russia, but today, it's not so certain. In the Euros, they fell in the round of 16 against Switzerland, and in the Nations League they finished third in a group with Croatia, Denmark and Switzerland.

The French team has the best team in the world in terms of names: Mbappé, Benzema, Griezmann, Dembelé, Mendy... Still, there are significant players missing.

Kanté and Pogba will not play in Qatar. Varane and Koundé are suffering from discomfort. France is a candidate, but as Ronaldo Nazario said: "In the World Cup it's impossible to say who is going to win."