Timelines:

• 2006, Italy won the World Cup. The following world cup edition, they got eliminated in the group stage.
• 2010, Spain won the World Cup. The following world cup edition, they failed to advance to the knockout stage.
• 2014, Germany won the World Cup. They failed too in the 2018 edition in Russia.

_{Mbappe's brace helped France secured their ticket to the next round of the tournament, photo courtesy of Sporting news}

This was a very trending topic for this world cup edition in Qatar (2022). France is in a serious hotseat position if they will likely be the victim of the "Champion's curse". One can't deny the fact that this is possible, considering this curse has been happening for 12 straight years to be exact.

I actually made a serious post about my concern for France not advancing the group stage. This was mainly because of 1) The World Cup curse might sway on their way. 2) The list of injuries that gone through this France squad like Benzema, Pogba, Kante, & Kimpembe who were instrumental for their 2018 World Cup win.

They just Broken the Curse!

Following their win against Denmark, thanks to French wonderkid: Kylian Mbappe's brace that secured their 2-1 win, they are clear for the top two of group D regardless of their results in their final match against Tunisia. Either a draw, lose, or a win won't affect their chances of qualifying the knock out stage. They managed to secure 6 points out of the 2 matches they played so far and there's no way other teams can beat that point tally in the group.

_{As it stands, with one game remaining, France is secured to progress to the next round}

This marks the end of the Champions curse. A myth that everyone was not expecting, but are feeling this will happen again. This is maybe because of the injuries this French team incurred and also their form prior to the tournament has been very poor. Honestly, this World Cup will not be as a great experience if we won't see French in the next phase of the tournament. They are one of the tournament favorites with a very stacked attacking group.

If you look closely at this squad, this really look so dangerous. Imagine having Mbappe on the left side and Dembele on the right side. The speed and the danger on France's attacking wings is truly deadly. It could've been deadlier if Benzema was there in the front attack position, but Olivier Giroud was able to cover his absence well. Giroud has been on-form and is always a favorite to start the central attacking position.

The midfield is also controlled by Antoine Griezmann, Tchouameni, and Rabiot. They cover Kante and Pogba's absence well. The likes of Tchouameni, who was just recently signed by Real Madrid for a whopping $100 million proves his value to the world. Antoine steps up like he did in the 2018 world cup even though he's not been on-form in his Atletico Madrid level.

_{Squad list for France, Nkunku & Benzema out due to recent injuries these players have. Photo courtesy of Total sportal}

Upamecano & Varane also occupy the central defense position while Jules Kounde and Hernandez both occupy the full-back position. Kounde has always been a central defender but I understand Deschamps desire to put Kounde at the right full-back position because of his age and his experience at Barcelona being put at the right-back position. He was put there because Barca at that time was struggling to find a right full-back starter.

You think it's finished, but what makes France very dangerous is the depth of their substitutes. No matter these starters will have their bad days, a super-stacked substitute lineup is there to cover the missing ingredient on the field. Alphonse Areola is on the rescue if incase Lloris stumbles. William Saliba, Konate, and Benjamin Pavard in the defense. Camavinga, Guendouzi, and Fofana also will hold midfield. Kingsley Coman is also on the rescue if there needs a speed or a substitute for Mbappe or Dembele.

I'm not a fan of the French but I'm happy they are progressing. This adds excitement and thrill to the current edition of world cup and I bet everyone wants that too.

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