FIFA World Cup 2022: France begins title defence while Argentina and Lionel Messi kick off their campaigns

Didier Deschamps’ squad, which won the 2018 World Cup by overcoming Croatia in the final, is aiming to become the first team to win the championship back-to-back since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.

France has been rocked by a slew of injuries, including important midfielders N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba, as well as Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, who withdrew from the squad in the early hours of Sunday with a thigh ailment, as well as center-back Presnel Kimpembe.

YNaija: Read More