France vs Australia – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup
THE FACTS
When is France vs Australia on and what time does it start? France vs Australia will take place on Tuesday 22nd November, 2022 – 19:00 (UK)
Where is France vs Australia taking place? France vs Australia will take place at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar
Where can I get tickets for France vs Australia? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for France vs Australia
What channel is France vs Australia on in the UK? France vs Australia will be televised live on BBC / France vs Australia will be televised live on ITV
Where can I stream France vs Australia in the UK? France vs Australia can be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app / France vs Australia can be streamed live on the ITV Hub
THE LOWDOWN
FRANCE
- Reigning world champions France will look to begin the defence of their title in strong fashion as they take on Australia in this opening clash but they have a lot to prove after an underwhelming effort at the most recent UEFA European Championship.
- Les Bleus have been hit by several injury issues in the build-up to the tournament but reigning Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema’s absence after picking up an injury during training last week is the biggest loss for Didier Deschamps’ men.
AUSTRALIA
- Australia arrive for this 2022 FIFA World Cup on a good run of form having won their last five contests, if including their penalty shootout success against Peru back in June but this is a different challenge altogether as they take on world champions France in their opening clash.
- The Socceroos will hope to spring a surprise in Qatar but have been dealt a blow with winger Martin Boyle being ruled out on the eve of the tournament, although that may open the door for highly-rated 18-year-old Garang Kuol to play a bigger role in the side.
THE TEAM NEWS
FRANCE
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Pavard, Upamecano, Kounde, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Raphael Varane (Injured), Ibrahima Konate (Injured)
AUSTRALIA
PREDICTED XI (4-1-4-1): Ryan; Atkinson, Souttar, Rowles, Behich; Mooy; Leckie, Irvine, McGree, Goodwin; Duke
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Adjin Hrustic (Injured)
THE KEY STATS
- France and Australia also met in the opening round of matches at Russia 2018. The French claimed a 2-1 victory courtesy of a late own goal by Aziz Behich
- France have won their last four World Cup matches and victory would see them equal their best ever winning streak at the finals. They previously had a five-match winning sequence across the 1986 and 1998 tournaments
- France are unbeaten in their last seven World Cup matches. Their longest unbeaten streak at the finals is eight, which they achieved on two previous occasions.
- France have lost only one of their last 12 World Cup matches (W9 D2)
- France progressed through the group stage at the finals in 2014 and 2018 without losing a match
- France have lost their opening match only once in their last seven appearance at the finals (W4 D2). The sole defeat being their shock 1-0 loss against Senegal in 2002
- Didier Deschamps is the first person to coach France at three World Cup final tournaments, having also led the nation in 2014 and 2018
- Hugo Lloris is participating in his fourth World Cup; Thierry Henry is the only other French player to have achieved this feat
- Ten players who were successful at Russia 2018 are in the France squad for Qatar 2022: Alphonse Areola, Ousmane Dembele, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Lucas Hernandez, Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda, Kylian Mbappe, Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane
- Australia are making their sixth appearance at the World Cup, with Qatar 2022 being their fifth consecutive appearance at the finals. They have featured at every edition since 2006
- Australia have found themselves in a group with a former World Cup winner on each of their six appearances at the finals (West Germany 1974, Brazil 2006, Germany 2010, Spain 2014, France 2018 and 2022)
- Australia have won only two of their previous 16 FIFA World Cup matches (D4 L10)
- Australia are without a win in their last six FIFA World Cup matches (D1 L5). Their last victory being a 2-1 win against Serbia in 2010
- Australia have lost their opening match in four of their previous five World Cup appearances (W1). Their sole victory was against Japan in 2006 (W 3-1)
- Australia have not kept a clean sheet in their last 13 World Cup matches
- Mathew Ryan and Mathew Leckie are both featuring in their third World Cup, overall, nine members of the current squad have previous World Cup experience
THE PREDICTION
France have been hit by several setbacks before a ball has even been kicked in Qatar but such is the depth of their talent pool, they still boast an incredibly strong squad in their quest to defend the World Cup crown that they won back in 2018 in Russia. The French have won just one of their last six matches but will be confident of getting off to a good start here as they take on Australia. The Socceroos are the underdogs in Group D and while they will feel they can be competitive, they are unlikely to be any match for Les Bleus who should be able to put their recent run of poor form behind them by winning this by at least two clear goals.
TIP: FRANCE TO WIN WITH -1 HANDICAP
