For a second successive edition of the men’s FIFA world cup, France and Australia will meet in their respective group stages of the Qatar 2022 tournament. This time, reigning champions France are projected to improve upon their narrow 2-1 win over Australia in 2018, as they seek to become the first back-to-back winners since Brazil managed the achievement in 1962 and continue to Europe’s ascendency of this event with what could be a fifth consecutive world cup triumph for a UEFA country.
With France’s star player Karim Benzema injured, they are counting on Kylian Mbappe to carry the team on his shoulders to win this year’s trophy. Australia have not conceded 3+ goals against any opposition in their last 39 matches played dating back to March 2018.
France have created the worst title defence in world cup history when failing to score a single goal during the 2002 edition of the tournament, having a draw and losing the other two matches.
France will face off Australia in the second the game in Group D at the Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah). The match will be officiated by South African referee, Gomes V.
