World Cup

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World Cup | Group Stage

Nov 22, 2022 at 7pm UK

France
4 - 1
Australia

Rabiot (27'), Giroud (32', 71'), Mbappe (68')

FT(HT: 2-1)

Goodwin (9')
Duke (55'), Irvine (80'), Mooy (90+5')

France vs. Australia: How do both squads compare ahead of World Cup clash?

By Barney Corkhill, Editor

Published: November 22 2022 | 15:45

Last updated: November 22 2022 | 19:44

Ahead of the World Cup Group D clash between France and Australia, Sports Mole compares both squads to see how they stack up against each other.

Defending champions France get their 2022 World Cup campaign underway on Tuesday when they face underdogs Australia in Qatar.

Les Bleus head into the tournament looking to become only the third team - and the first since Brazil in 1962 - to successfully retain the World Cup.

A number of star names are missing from Didier Deschamps's squad, but they still boast a formidable array of talent and will be firm favourites to overcome an Australia side lacking in any real top-quality stars themselves.

Here, Sports Mole compares both squads to see how they stack up against each other each ahead of this evening's Group D encounter.

FRANCE

France players pose for a team photo in the UEFA Nations League in June 2022 © Reuters

Most valuable player:
Kylian Mbappe (£140m)

Overall squad value:
£864.4m

Most capped player:
Hugo Lloris (139)

Leading goalscorer:
Olivier Giroud (49)

Total caps:
795

Total goals:
142

Oldest player:
Steve Mandanda (37)

Youngest player:
Eduardo Camavinga (20)

Average age:
26.2

SQUAD IN FULL

Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Rennes)

Defenders: Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Raphael Varane (Manchester United)

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Matteo Guendouzi (Marseille), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Jordan Veretout (Marseille)

Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig)

AUSTRALIA

Australia team group before the match in September 2022 © Reuters

Most valuable player:
Mathew Ryan (£4.3m)

Overall squad value:
£32.3m

Most capped player:
Mathew Ryan (75)

Leading goalscorer:
Mathew Leckie (13)

Total caps:
537

Total goals:
69

Oldest player:
Danny Vukovic (37)

Youngest player:
Garang Kuol (18)

Average age:
27.2

SQUAD IN FULL

Goalkeepers: Mathew Ryan (Copenhagen), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners), Andrew Redmayne (Sydney FC)

Defenders: Aziz Behich (Dundee United), Milos Degenek (Columbus Crew), Bailey Wright (Sunderland), Fran Karacic (Brescia), Harry Souttar (Stoke City), Nathaniel Atkinson (Hearts), Joel King (Odense), Kyle Rowles (Hearts), Thomas Deng (Albirex Niigata)

Midfielders: Aaron Mooy (Celtic), Jackson Irvine (St Pauli), Ajdin Hrustic (Hellas Verona), Riley McGree (Middlesbrough), Keanu Baccus (St Mirren), Cameron Devlin (Hearts)

Forwards: Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City), Awer Mabil (Cadiz), Jamie Maclaren (Melbourne City), Mitchell Duke (Fagiano Okayama), Martin Boyle (Hibernian), Craig Goodwin (Adelaide United), Jason Cummings (Central Coast Mariners), Garang Kuol (Central Coast Mariners)