The Ultimate Stress Test
The true measure of a squad’s depth isn’t who starts the first match, but who is available to finish the last. Before a ball was even kicked at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, France’s title defence seemed to be in jeopardy. They lost Ballon d'Or winner Karim
Benzema, and their entire World Cup-winning midfield duo of Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kanté, to injury. For any other country, losing three pillars of this magnitude would be a catastrophic, campaign-ending blow. For France, it was merely an opportunity to showcase its incredible 'next man up' mentality. This resilience is not accidental; it's the result of a talent pipeline that is the envy of the footballing world.
A Fortress in Defence
A solid defence is the foundation of any championship team, and France’s options are staggering. In the centre-back position, manager Didier Deschamps could call upon Manchester United’s Raphaël Varane, Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté, and Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano. Waiting in the wings was William Saliba, one of the Premier League’s best defenders for Arsenal. At full-back, the options were just as impressive. AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez was a force of nature on the left, while his brother Lucas Hernandez (of Bayern, now PSG) provided cover. On the right, Barcelona’s Jules Koundé and Bayern's Benjamin Pavard—a World Cup winner himself—vied for a starting spot. Each of these players is a regular starter for a top-tier European club, offering Deschamps a blend of experience, pace, and tactical flexibility that few coaches can dream of.
The Engine Room Reboot
The midfield is where the depth of Les Bleus truly borders on the absurd. Losing Pogba and Kanté, the engine room of the 2018 triumph, should have been a death knell. Instead, France seamlessly plugged in Aurélien Tchouaméni, a player Real Madrid paid €80 million for, and Adrien Rabiot, a key figure for Juventus who enjoyed a phenomenal tournament. They didn’t just fill the gap; they excelled, providing the defensive grit and progressive passing needed to power the team to another final. Behind them, Deschamps had even more options, including Real Madrid’s other young superstar, Eduardo Camavinga, and Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana. This ability to completely replace a legendary midfield without a noticeable drop in quality is a luxury no other national team currently possesses.
An Embarrassment of Riches Upfront
If France's midfield depth is absurd, its attacking talent is simply unfair. The pre-tournament loss of Karim Benzema was softened by the simple fact that their backup striker was Olivier Giroud, France’s all-time leading goalscorer. The primary weapon, of course, remained Kylian Mbappé, arguably the best player on the planet. Flanking him were players who would be the undisputed stars of almost any other nation. On one side, there was the tactical genius and relentless work rate of Antoine Griezmann, who thrived in a deeper playmaking role. On the other, the electrifying pace and unpredictability of Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembélé. Should any of them need a rest or a tactical switch, Deschamps could bring on Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman or Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani, both of whom offer game-changing speed and directness. It is a collection of attacking talent that is both diverse and devastatingly effective.
The Competition Pales in Comparison
Other nations certainly boast strong squads. Brazil has a wealth of attacking talent, and England possesses a gifted generation of players. However, neither can match France's depth across every single line of the pitch. While Brazil’s forward line is stacked, their full-back options are comparatively weaker. England has quality in midfield and attack, but would they be able to withstand losing their two most important midfielders and their starting centre-forward and still reach a World Cup final? It’s highly unlikely. France’s B-team, composed of players who didn’t start in Qatar, could likely compete for a quarter-final spot on its own. That is the ultimate testament to their unparalleled depth.
