Five World Cup favourites, from Neymar’s Brazil to
Will the World Cup in Qatar deliver back-to-back wins for France, a record sixth title for Brazil, a perfect send-off for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, or none of the above? FRANCE 24 takes a look at five favourites to win football’s top trophy in Qatar – and the outsiders who could spring a surprise.
The FIFA World Cup kicks off in Qatar on Sunday, November 20, with defending champions France hoping to become the first team to win consecutive tournaments since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
While “Les Bleus” rank among the tournament’s hot favourites, they will be well aware that recent World Cup history has been unkind to title-holders.
Here’s a look at the squads with the best chance of going all the way, from the in-form teams to the World Cup stalwarts one can never write off.
France: title holders weakened by injuries
Four years after their triumph in Moscow, France go into the World Cup as the defending champions and the bookmakers’ second favourites after Brazil. Les Bleus, who also picked up the Nations League title last year, are blessed with an abundance of talent. Their main asset is undoubtedly the front line, with the formidable duo of Kylian Mbappé and Ballon d’Or laureate Karim Benzema leading the attack, backed by the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembélé and dependable veteran Olivier Giroud.
Elsewhere, injuries have brought havoc to the title-holders, knocking out the talismanic midfield duo of N’Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba. In defence, Presnel Kimpembe is another late drop-out while Raphaël Varane’s fitness is still cause for concern. Off the field, France’s tournament build-up has also been upset by a bizarre scandal involving allegations Pogba hired a witch doctor to “curse” Mbappé. Les Bleus have struggled this season to recover their form of 2018, winning just one of their last six competitive games. They will be…
