Should France be worried after avoiding relegation from the Nations League?

September 29 - France will enter the upcoming 2022 World Cup as one of the main contenders for the top prize. However, like many other big European nations that play an important role in betting, the Nations League campaign has been a bit strange.

Three years ago, France claimed the honor for the first time ever, but they were the stars of the competition's relegation to Group B for the first time as this international break approached. Recent form has seen them drop to second place in Bovada's World Cup odds, with Brazil now the heavy favourites.

However, do French supporters have reason to worry about their World Cup success in just under two months?

Nations League results

It was a very disappointing campaign in the Nations League for Didier Deschamps and his French team. They would have expected to gain momentum in the summer months and the domestic season after training alongside Croatia, Austria and Denmark.

However, they only won once in the Nations League and were beaten three times. The last embarrassing defeat was a 2-0 defeat against Denmark.

The only win they managed to register was a 2-0 success at home to Austria last week, which eventually saw them have enough points on the board to avoid the three of the relegation.

However, France's recent form heading into the World Cup this year would be hugely disappointing, and it would certainly have dampened any hopes of becoming the first back-to-back winners of the prestigious accolade since Brazil in 1962.< /p>

Preview of the French team

Deschamps has certainly had to use the full extent of French depth throughout this year, as injuries have played a big part in which players have been able to line up in Nations League fixtures.< /p>

That was evident in France's recent 2-0 loss to Denmark, when Alphonse Areola started in goal due to an injury picked up by Huge Lloris.

It also seems extremely unlikely that a defensive line consisting of William Saliba, Davide Upamecano and Benoit Badiashile will start in France's first World Cup game in November.

Even still, it remains to be seen whether France will return to the players who found success four years ago, or rely on the younger generation to get through this inexperienced phase and make a bold offer to Qatar.

Injuries could play a huge role

With just two months until the start of the World Cup, France have to wait nervously to get some of their biggest stars back into shape. One player who has already announced he will miss the World Cup is Paul Pogba, as the Juventus midfielder faces a five-month break on the sidelines.

Injuries have been all too common throughout the Frenchman's career, but the national team may be a huge miss for the French after playing such a crucial role in their success in Russia there is four years old.

A dozen players were missing from the previous squad, including potential Ballon D'or winner Karim Benzema. The Champions League winner limped off in Real Madrid's opening night win over Celtic, and there's no clear timeline on when the striker could return. However, hopes are high that he will be fit enough to take part in the traveling group in two months.

The defensive crisis appears to be a factor in the build-up to the World Cup, as recent Nations League fixtures have seen the French face off without Lloris, Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe and Ibrahima Konate. One of the most worrying injuries France hope to resolve ahead of the World Cup comes in the form of N'Golo Kante, as the Chelsea man is one of the few players who can play the role Deschamps needs for the French national team.

Is lack of trust a factor?

One of the most concerning comments made during the Nations League campaign in France was Deschamps' statement, as he cited that lack of self-confidence could be an issue at stake when it comes to relates to poor performance. The manager also claimed that "freshness" was an issue.

However, the latter will likely be a factor for any teams traveling to Qatar this year, as the competition takes place in the middle of the domestic season.

Injuries, form and fitness are three factors that will be vitally important to the nations that perform best in Qatar. However, despite all the troubles the French endured throughout t...