Didier Deschamps names frighteningly strong starting XI for France’s World Cup opener

With good reason, France are being tipped as one of the favourites to win the World Cup this summer

Didier Deschamps' squad boasts incredible strength in depth, with Premier League stars Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal and Manchester United's Anthony Martial not even able to earn a place in it. Les Bleus kick off their tournament against Australia in Kazan on Saturday. A glimpse at their starting lineup for the game was a reminder of just why so many people expect them to go far in the tournament. Atletico Madird's Antoine Griezmann starts in a front three which also features Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele and Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe. Behind them, Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante are joined by Corentin Tolisso in midfield. A back four of Lucas Hernandez, Samuel Umtiti, Raphael Varane and Benjamin Pavard will protect Hugo Lloris' goal. https://twitter.com/equipedefrance/status/1007910245119688704 The game with Australia will be the French's first in a major tournament since their defeat to Portugal in the final of Euro 2016.