France

France are the most controversial qualifiers for the this years World Cup, having needed the hand of Thierry Henry to get them to South Africa. Les bleus were also the last European team to book their place in the group stage, having needed extra time and Henry's intervention to dispose of Ireland at the Stade de France in last November's play-offs.

France had been initially handed what looked a straightforward qualifying group. Serbia, Lithuania, Austria, Romania and Faroe Islands was all that stood in there way. A Euro 2008 hangover and the early defeat to Austria set them back but they eventually recovered to finish second. Franck Ribery's goals in back to back 1-0 wins over Lithuania proved pivotal.

Most of France's problem's stem from there manager, Raymond Domenech. His incompetence has been much publicised, from dropping David Trezeguet pre- 2006, proposing to his girlfriend on live TV after exiting Euro 2008 with a whimper, and now selecting an erratic squad for 2010. Much of the onus will be on the players to get the team to play to their potential, but that has been easier said than done over the past two years.

SCHEDULE

Uruguay           June 11th- Cape Town

Mexico            June 17th- Polokwane

South Africa    June 22nd- Bloemfontein

Seeing as France were not included in the top eight seeds, they can count themselves lucky that they were handed the group with South Africa rather than the big boys. Despite struggling to qualify, they were instantly named favourites to emerge from this group as winners, setting up a last 16 clash with Nigeria or Greece. For all the French teams failings, they might just find themselves in a quarter final without even playing to their potential. 

But the group wont be as easy as it may read. Uruguay possess an attacking triumvirate worthy of any team in Diego Forlan, Sebastain Abreu and Luis Suarez. Mexico are perennial qualifiers from the group stage and South Africa are the hosts who will have the raucous noise of the Vuvuzelas behind them.

For Les Bleus to negotiate a safe passage to the second round, their front men will have to click, and a win in their first game against Uruguay is a must. The to sides played out an uneventful 0-0 draw in Korea in 2002, in a game which saw Henry sent off. France had a better team that year, and cant afford a similar result this time. A slow start will kill confidence, the press will swarm like vultures and the pressure could be palpable.

KEY PLAYERS

Domenech's squad announcement on May 11th was as notable for the players absent as the players present. To the surprise of many Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been left out of even the 30 man preliminary squad, as well as Arsenal's Samir Nasri. For all their strenght in depth, these players are two of France's most naturally gifted, who are capable of the kind of magic that wins world cup matches. Clearly Domenech has become disillusioned with them over the past two years. Nasri has rarely featured through injury and Benzema has never produced his best for the national team. The former Lyon striker has had a poor season overall in Madrid but he still contains qualities far superior to the likes of Djibril Cisse or Jimmy Briand.

If France are to progress as far as in 2006, their defence will need to be as strong. Patrice Evra, Eric Abidal, Bacary Sagna and William Gallas has been a settled back four for a while, but the Arsenal centre back is coming into the tournament of a long term injury. If he doesn't recover in time, then the French defence will be in trouble. For all the qualities of Sebastien Squillaci and Anthony Revelliere, they are inexperienced at this level and don't inspire confidence. Surley Julien Escude and Phillipe Mexes would have provided superior cover but they have been left out in favour of home-based defenders.

In midfield le Tricolore are solid but rarely spectacular. Jeremy Toulalan, Lassana Diarra and Yoann Gourcuff will be responsible for rescuing the ball from the opposition and providing quick passes to the from three. Chelsea's Florent Malouda may play himself into this triangle in light of his spectacular form in the Premier League. Failing that he could easily slip into the front three because Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka and Henry- Pierre Gignac have all had relatively quiet seasons. Anelka has been the best of the three, as he's been a regular for Chelsea who've just won the Premier League. Henry however has rarely featured for Barcelona and Gignac has been less prolific for Toulouse than in previous seasons. His mantle as France's number one striker is almost scary, and is reminiscent of Stephan Guivarc'h at France '98.

Ideally, Domenech will move Anelka into the middle and bring in Ribery on the wing. Additionally, he should play Malouda in a more advanced role, replacing Toulalan, therefore France would have their best 11 players on the pitch. Alas, that will not be the way of things, and France's inconsistency will no doubt continue. Just this time, there is no Zinedine Zidane to call upon.

ONE TO WATCH- Hugo Lloris

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

For a nation like France, the focus will be on actually winning the World Cup, and that is still a distinct possibility. They have a squad to match most others, and a first 11 as good as any in the world with some amazingly talented individuals. Therefore, for France, they will be disappointed with anything less than ultimate victory.

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

A repeat of 2002 is unthinkable but cannot be ruled out. This team has been so erratic and unpredictable that an early exit isn't unfathomable. Such an occurrence will see Domenech dismissed for sure this time and the French press and public will fall even further out of love with their team.

PREDICTION

Given their superior quality of players to South Africa, Uruguay and Mexico, as well as there experienced yet youthful defence, France should do enough to escape a tight group as winners, even though all four teams will take points off each other. Much like in 'o6, anything will then be possible but the quarter finals should finally see the end of Les Bleus.