France squad for World Cup final: Roster, key players, confirmed lineup and formation vs Argentina

France are on the verge of making World Cup history.

They take on Argentina at the Lusail Iconic Stadium on Sunday looking to become the first team in 60 years (since Brazil in 1962) to retain the world crown with back-to-back wins.

Didier Deschamps' concerns over a flu bug spreading through his squad on eve of the final did not deplete his starting side on the day of the game – a major boost as his players bid to contain the irrepressible Lionel Messi.

The Sporting News has the low-down on the France team news and their lineup against Argentina as the world prepares to watch on.

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France World Cup roster

France have maintained the same shape in all but one of their matches at the World Cup, using a 4-2-3-1 formation that fits in plenty of their best attacking stars. The only exception was their final group game against Tunisia where Deschamps opted to rest nine players, with qualification to the last 16 secured by that stage.

In all other other games, Olivier Giroud has led the line with Antoine Griezmann playing in the attacking midfielder role directly behind him. Kylian Mbappe is a constant menace down the left flank, while Ousmane Dembele has been almost ever-present on the right wing. Aurelien Tchouameni has started every game in midfield, either alongside Adrien Rabiot or Youssouf Fofana.

Dayot Upamecano and Raphael Varane have become the centre-back partnership of choice, though Ibrahima Konate has occasionally come in alongside the Manchester United man. Jules Kounde has ousted Benjamin Pavard from the right-back slot. Lucas Hernandez ruptured his achilles in the opening match of the tournament, which has meant his brother Theo has taken his place at left-back.

Their starting lineups in their knockout matches have remained largely unchanged, with Deschamps clearly happy with what he's seen so far.

France key players vs Argentina

Kylian Mbappe

There is absolutely no doubt Mbappe will play a huge part in the final against Argentina.

He was instrumental four years ago, as a 19-year-old, as France swatted aside Croatia 4-2 in Moscow to lift their first World Cup in 20 years. Now 23 and one of the mainstays of Deschamps' attack, Mbappe has thrilled with his performances in Qatar.

He has pace and power, supreme dribbling skills and also is one of the best finishers in the world, making him a lethal threat to any defenders. His five goals so far in the tournament put him level with Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race, although Mbappe has failed to net in the past two matches, drawing blanks against England and Morocco.

What that England quarterfinal showed, with Kyle Walker shackling Mbappe, is that Argentina may have the defensive tools to keep him quiet as well. Gonzalo Montiel missed the semifinal win over Croatia due to suspension.

Antoine Griezmann

After playing a key role in France's 2018 triumph, Griezmann hasn't had a particularly happy time in club football. His move to Barcelona didn't really come off and he was recently in a peculiar situation with current club Atletico Madrid as they refused to play him for many minutes in fear of triggering an expensive transfer clause in his contract.

And despite not scoring any goals in this tournament so far, he has three assists to his name — including two in the quarterfinal victory over England — and has been exceptional in his deeper-lying role, with his vision, passing and movement helping Les Bleus to unlock defences.

The 4-2-3-1 shape sacrifices an extra player deeper in the midfield, but Griezmann is proving very useful in the No.10 role between the lines; his link-up play with Giroud and Mbappe in particular has been some of the best in the tournament.

21 - Antoine Griezmann 🇫🇷 has created 21 chances in the 2022 #FIFAWorldCup, more than any other player in the tournament, also registering the highest average, with 3.5 chances per game. Engine.#AskOpta#AskOptaJosé#Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/xNYXL9rJ7n

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 16, 2022

Raphael Varane

The Manchester United defender feared that he would play no part in this tournament when he hobbled off with a knee injury during a 1-1 draw at Chelsea in the Premier League towards the end of October.

But the 29-year-old – who has been no stranger to the treatment table during his time at Old Trafford – showed remarkable powers of recovery to get himself fit again. He's been able to play a full part in this World Cup, starting every match and helping France concede just four goals in five games.

France confirmed lineup vs. Argentina

The French camp battled illness at the very worst time after a bout of so-called 'camel flu' struck the squad in Doha. Deschamps said he had taken "all necessary precautions" to prevent the virus from spreading further.

Rabiot, Upamecano and Kingsley Coman missed the semifinal victory over Morocco, with several other players – including Varane and Konate – missing training on Friday.

Deschamps has been able to field his strongest side for the final after Rabiot and Upamecano were among those ready to play. Fofana and Konate dropped to the bench.

Confirmed lineup: (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Lloris (GK) — 5. Kounde, 4. Varane, 18. Upamecano, 22. T. Hernandez — 7. Griezmann, 8. Tchouameni, 14. Rabiot — 11. Dembele, 9. Giroud, 10. Mbappe

MORE: The France players who could miss World Cup final through illness

France vs Argentina head to head

These two nations have quite a history against each other, as two of footballing's traditional international superpowers down the years, sharing four World Cup titles (two each).

They've only met three times in the World Cup, however, way back in the first ever tournament in 1930 when Argentina came out on top. La Albiceleste again overcame France in 1978 en route to the trophy, while France won the last 16 clash between the two nations four years ago.

Overall, Argentina have the edge in the contest, winning six of the 12 past meetings, with three France wins and three draws.

France squad at World Cup 2022