Group A France

Team: France

Nickname: Les Bleus

Best Performance: Winners in 1998

Road to World Cup: Won play-off against Ireland after they had finished second in qualifying Group 7 of the European Zone.

Star Player:

The sole France 1998 survivor and the current captain, Thierry Henry is the Les Blues most crucial player since the retirement of the nation’s one of all time greats, Zinedine Zidane. Henry has vast experience and knowledge as he has been part of the national team since 1998. However, this year he yet to recapture his form with his club side Barcelona and largely has been on the bench. But, his ability and motivation to play for Les Bleus shouldn’t be questioned since he definitely will give his best, given this could be his last major tournament representing the national side, considering his age is 32 as for now.

King Henry

Story & Prediction

After the ample disappointments at EURO 2008 and during qualifying round for the current world cup, France certainly will be looking to avoid such circumstance to repeat again as the nation tabloids already eager to condemn the team, should they fail to reach the semis. Their own supporters often criticize the tactics and management of current coach Raymond Domenech, who reportedly might be sacked after the tournament. Many football supporters especially the Ireland fans still feel that France shouldn’t be at the world cup after the Henry’s “Hand of God” goal which eventually knocked the Ireland team out of the world cup.

Domenech...”Stop accusing and start supporting”

The current Les Bleus has some of the biggest names in world football that might create fear among the opposition, earning them a reputation as one of world football’s leading teams. Thierry Henry has taken the captain’s armband, with William Gallas the leader at the back and both Jeremy Toulalan and Lassana Diarra indispensable in midfield. Meanwhile, the emergence of Yoann Gourcuff, the talent of Franck Ribery and the rejuvenation of Nicolas Anelka have given the coach a variety of options in attack, where Karim Benzema, Andre-Pierre Gignac, Florent Malouda and Loic Remy will also be hoping to feature.

Well this time as for the group stage, they should easily come out top as South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay trailing far behind in Fifa’s Coca-Cola world ranking. However, the real acid test waiting them in next round. Will the current squad repeat the success of the 1998 team? To be honest, I can’t see the team going far as they can’t produce good performance collectively on many occasions. They should stop wondering and must start to sort out problems quickly as the world cup is fast approaching. So, let’s hope the Les Blues can silence the critics and reach another new height.

Don’t fancy the Les Bleus to turn over a new leaf…