The reigning World Champions are always among the favorites to repeat four years later. Since 2010, however, the previous victors have all stumbled and fallen at the first hurdle, going out in the group stage in what has come to be known as the champions curse.
Each example has been as baffling as the last, but France has finally put an end to the curse by clinching a spot in the knockout round with a 2-1 win over Denmark.
Kylian Mbappé was his silky brilliant self on Tuesday during France’s 4-1 victory against Australia. That is except for one moment in the 45th minute when a shockingly uncharacteristic Mbappé miss took place.
It's officially been confirmed that France and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has picked up an injury in training, forcing him to miss the World Cup.
The Frenchman had only joined his teammates Saturday as he recovered from a previous injury but had to leave the session after sustaining a further knock. According to the French national team, he injured his left quadriceps in training. The precise extent of the injury is unknown, but Benzema will not take any further part in his national team's campaign or preparations.
Every four years the World Cup brings together the world’s best players and Qatar 2022 will not be an exception.
On the attacking front, the exotic winter tournament brings us a combination of new talent, legendary strikers, generational wingers and a pair of GOATs.
In celebration of the World Cup being so close, we rank the forwards who are most likely to make an impact at Qatar.
The Nike World Cup commercial 2022 is an instant classic. The full version — clocking nearly four and a half minutes — has it all: past and present versions of Cristiano Ronaldo hitting the "SIU!" together, multiple past versions of "O Fenômeno" Ronaldo getting after it, Kylian Mbappé introducing 2006 Ronaldinho to the low wall, Alex Morgan sipping tea, Edgar Davids just being Edgar Davids and so much more.
The film is part of Nike FC's Footballverse, which has its own snazzy website to explore.
To prepare you for the tournament, The18 has launched team-by-team previews for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Here’s the France World Cup preview — they’ll play in Group D against Denmark, Tunisia and Australia.
World Cup Appearances: 16th
Best Finish: Champions (1998, 2018)
Neymar had another top-tier performance in PSG’s Ligue 1 match and win against Troyes this Saturday.
A comeback topped off with a goal and assist for the former Barcelona man.
PARIS — Lionel Messi grabbed a goal and assist to inspire Paris Saint-Germain to a 4-3 comeback victory over Troyes on Saturday as the Ligue 1 table-toppers extended their lead to five points.
Troyes had stunned the crowd at the Parc des Princes when Mama Balde volleyed home in just the third minute but PSG midfielder Carlos Soler equalized after a superb pass from Neymar as the two teams went into the break at 1-1.
Maccabi Haifa's 30-year-old American goalkeeper Josh Cohen was the toast of Europe on Oct. 11 when making five saves en route to a clean sheet during his side's incredible upset of Juventus in the Champions League.
His mission Tuesday? Do it again, but this time against Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and PSG at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
This time Cohen faced five shots in the first-half alone and could only watch in agony as four of them found the back of the net.
Cohen couldn't do anything about Messi's opener in the 19th minute.
The Ballon d’Or is finally here.