Former France global Christian Karembeu has declared Les Bleus the fave for this 12 months's World Cup after the draw was announced.
France is attempting to come to be the first crew since Brazil in 1962 to successfully guard their crown, but may have records working against them because the closing 3 groups to attempt have all fallen inside the institution degree.
After drawing Group D, France could have furniture towards Denmark, Tunisia and the eventual playoff winner out of Australia, UAE and Peru.
Karembeu said he thinks France has earned the name of favored this time round.
"[France] are the [World Cup] favourites, which is a topic I even have spoken about lots," he told reporters in Qatar.
"We have a younger crew with a lot of nice, not to say the pinnacle train [Didier Deschamps] – I have to mention that, in any other case he will yell at me.
"We have a Federation that works, allowing us to be focused on that objective of prevailing the World Cup."
Fellow former French international Youri Djorkaeff became much less emphatic approximately his prediction, but rather pointed towards the interesting timing of the occasion.
"A draw in itself doesn't imply whatever," he said.
"Yes, the World Cup is starting so you prepare, and when you'll play, but there may be no top or terrible draw. Especially at the moment of the yr while all of the teams are going to be aggressive.
