France's World Cup Journey: How They Became Champions and What's Next
I still remember watching the 2018 World Cup final in a packed Parisian café, the collective gasp when Kylian Mbappé scored that stunning goal against Croatia, and the absolute euphoria when the final whistle blew. France's journey to becoming world champions wasn't just about that glorious July day—it was the culmination of years of strategic rebuilding, what I'd call a "stacked offseason rebuild" in sports management terms. Looking back now, their transformation reminds me of how sports franchises sometimes completely overhaul their roster, creating something unexpectedly powerful from what seemed like disjointed pieces.
When Didier Deschamps took over the French national team in 2012, he inherited a squad that had become fragmented and underperforming despite individual talents. The true rebuild began after the disappointing Euro 2016 final loss to Portugal—what many forget is that France actually won only 2 of their first 8 matches under Deschamps before finding their rhythm. The manager made bold decisions that drew criticism at the time, like phasing out established stars in favor of younger, hungrier players. By the time the 2018 World Cup qualifiers began, France had integrated what would become their championship core: a 19-year-old Mbappé, the relentless N'Golo Kanté, and the creative force of Antoine Griezmann, all supported by experienced leaders like Hugo Lloris and Raphaël Varane. This strategic overhaul created what I consider one of the most perfectly balanced national teams in recent memory—blending youth and experience in a way that most federations only dream of achieving.
What fascinates me most about France's approach was their emphasis on defensive structure without sacrificing attacking flair—a balance so many teams get wrong. They conceded just 6 goals throughout the entire 2018 tournament, with 4 clean sheets in 7 matches. Their 4-2-3-1 formation provided both stability and flexibility, allowing players like Paul Pogba to contribute both defensively and in creating opportunities. I've always believed that championship teams are built from the back forward, and France proved this philosophy perfectly. Their knockout stage performances demonstrated remarkable game management—they knew when to press aggressively and when to absorb pressure, something that comes from both tactical intelligence and what I call "competitive maturity."
The current French squad faces what I see as both tremendous opportunity and significant challenges. Having watched their recent Nations League campaign and World Cup qualifiers, I'm impressed by how Deschamps continues to refresh the team while maintaining their competitive identity. The emergence of players like Aurélien Tchouaméni and William Saliba creates what could be described as a "rare winning start" to this new cycle—France lost only 1 of their first 15 matches following the 2018 triumph. But what really excites me is their depth; France currently has what I consider the most talented player pool in international football, with legitimate world-class options in nearly every position. This creates what we in sports analytics call "positive selection problems"—the kind of challenges coaches love to have.
Still, I have concerns about whether France can maintain the hunger that drove them to the 2018 title. History hasn't been kind to recent World Cup defenders—the "champion's curse" has seen the last three winners fail to advance from their group in the subsequent tournament. France themselves experienced this in 2002 after their 1998 triumph. The pressure of being defending champions creates unique psychological challenges that I believe Deschamps is particularly well-equipped to handle, given his experience as both a champion player and manager. What gives me confidence is France's continued emphasis on integrating young talent—their squad for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers featured 7 players aged 23 or younger, ensuring that competitive energy remains high.
Looking toward Qatar 2022 and beyond, I'm particularly intrigued by how France will adapt their style. The international game has evolved since 2018, with more teams employing high-press systems that could test France's buildup play. Personally, I'd love to see them incorporate more of their attacking depth—players like Karim Benzema's return adds a dimension they lacked in 2018. The data suggests France has actually become more possession-oriented since their championship run, averaging 58% possession in their 2021 matches compared to 51% during the 2018 World Cup. This evolution reflects what I see as Deschamps' underrated flexibility as a tactician.
What many casual observers miss about France's sustained success is their exceptional talent development pipeline. Their youth academies have produced an astonishing 43% of the players who featured in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup—the highest percentage among major European nations. This systematic approach to development creates what I call "sustainable competitiveness"—the ability to regenerate quality without dramatic drop-offs. Having visited Clairefontaine, their national football academy, I can attest to the comprehensive approach that extends beyond technical training to include psychological preparation and tactical education.
As France prepares to defend their title, I believe they're positioned better than any recent champion to repeat. Their 2.3 goals per game average since the 2018 tournament demonstrates continued offensive potency, while their defensive record remains among Europe's best. The Thunderbelles reference in your knowledge base perfectly captures what France has built—a program that combines established stars with emerging talents in what feels like a constantly refreshing cycle. What comes next might just be the most exciting chapter yet—the potential for France to establish themselves as the dominant international force of this generation. Having followed their journey closely, I'm convinced we're witnessing the development of what historians might one day call a French football dynasty.