Who will Didier Deschamps pick in his starting XI against Argentina in the World Cup final?
France are the defending champions at the 2022 World Cup and head coach Didier Deschamps will hope that his troops can become the third nation to win successive championships after Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962).
This is their 16th appearance in the World Cup, a competition they have won on two occasions (1998, 2018).
Can they get their hands on the golden trophy for the third time in Qatar?
They are just one match away from achieving this incredible feat, and if they beat Argentina on Sunday Deschamps will earn footballing immortality.
So, let's take a look at the players tasked with getting the job done and who could make the cut in the starting XI on Sunday.
ALSO READ:World Cup 2022 Group D: Fixtures, results, standings, squads & full details
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GOALKEEPERS
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.
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Name
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Club
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Alphonse Areola
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West Ham
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Hugo Lloris
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Tottenham
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Steve Mandanda
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Stade Rennes
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DEFENDERS
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.
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Name
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Club
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William Saliba
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Arsenal
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Raphael Varane
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Manchester United
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Ibrahima Konate
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Liverpool
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Axel Disasi
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Monaco
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Benjamin Pavard
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Bayern Munich
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Dayot Upamecano
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Bayern Munich
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Theo Hernandez
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AC Milan
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Jules Kounde
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Barcelona
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MIDFIELDERS
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.
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Name
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Club
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Eduardo Camavinga
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Real Madrid
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Matteo Guendouzi
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Marseille
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Adrien Rabiot
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Juventus
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Aurelien Tchouameni
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Real Madrid
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Jordan Veretout
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Marseille
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Youssouf Fofana
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Monaco
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ATTACKERS
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.
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Name
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Club
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Antoine Griezmann
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Atletico Madrid
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Olivier Giroud
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AC Milan
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Ousmane Dembele
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Barcelona
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Kylian Mbappe
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PSG
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Kingsley Coman
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Bayern Munich
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Randal Kolo Muani
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Eintracht Frankfurt
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Marcus Thuram
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Borussia Monchengladbach
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