France World Cup 2022 squad, predicted line-up versus Argentina and star players

Hugo Lloris, the Tottenham veteran, will be the starter with the armband. He was in scintillating form against Morocco and made a couple of crucial saves to deny the Atlas Lions.

Behind him, Alphonse Areola and Steve Mandanda round out France's stable of goalkeepers.

Raphael Varane should start against Argentina with Ibrahima Konate at the heart of the defence. Dayot Upamecano is another option but Deschamps might choose not to use him as he had been recovering from an illness and was haphazard against England.

Out wide, Jules Kounde is expected to start on the right, while Theo Hernandez will get the nod on the left after his brother Lucas was forced to withdraw with a knee injury after France's 4-1 win over Australia in their tournament opener.

Real Madrid youngster Aurelien Tchouameni is sure to feature in Deschamps' XI after his world-class goal against England in the quarter-finals. Either Youssouf Fofana or Adrien Rabiot will partner the young midfielder in the centre of the park.

Rabiot missed the semi-final as he was not well and it remains to be seen whether Deschamps chooses to put him back in the XI to replace Fofana.

Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante have failed to make the cut in the 26-man squad due to their respective injuries.

Olivier Giroud is set to lead the line once again against Argentina. He has been in terrific form in the tournament and has made the most of the absence of Karim Benzema.

Although there was speculation that the Real Madrid striker could return to Qatar for the final, it has been reported that he will not do so and instead continue to train in Spain with his club-mates.

Kylian Mbappe will take his place on the left flank with Antoine Griezmann slotting into a typical No.10 role. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dembele will be positioned on the right flank.

RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku also made the original cut, only to suffer an injury in training that has ruled him out of the tournament, with Eintracht Frankfurt star Randal Kolo Muani drafted in to take his place. The forward made an instant impact and scored within 45 seconds after being introduced against Croatia.

The French boast one of the most formidable squads in the World Cup and in almost every position they have a world-class player.

Varane, Upamecano and Konate are vying for the two centre-back spots and all of them have the quality to be a starter.

Aurelien Tchouameni is a tank in midfield who is equally adept in breaking down attacks and spraying passes across the pitch.

In attack, Mbappe is leading the goalscoring charts with five trikes to his name and is definitely their brightest spark on the pitch, with Griezmann on hand to provide him with service in a slightly deeper role.

Giroud is also firing on all cylinders as has netted four goals in five appearances.

Lloris will be the preferred option in goal.

In defence, Deschamps will stick to a back-four with Varane and Konate starting as the two centre-backs, with Kounde and Hernandez out wide.

Tchouameni will be starting in midfield alongside Rabiot or Fofana.

Up front, Dembele and Mbappe provide pace and direct running out wide, while Griezmann will be operating in the hole behind target man Giroud.

France XI (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Konate, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Fofana; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud.

There are always players who are expected to feature, but miss out due to tactical reasons, injuries or other unforeseen circumstances, and the 2022 World Cup is no different.

Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante suffered a hamstring injury in the draw with Tottenham and will consequently have to watch on from the sidelines after having to undergo surgery.

Meanwhile, Juventus ace Paul Pogba lost the race against time after picking up a thigh injury just days after returning to squad training following an earlier knee problem.