Les Blues lifted the trophy in 2018 before narrowly missing out on a repeat success four years ago. They will be eager to make amends in North America.

France are rated by Spreadex as one of the teams most likely to hit double figures in goals, which would boost their chances of going all the way.

They are the 9/2 favourites to lift the trophy, which is a fair reflection of their chances given their recent track record in the prestigious tournament.

Read on as we look at France’s previous record in the World Cup, before assessing their hopes of emerging victorious this summer.

France at the FIFA World Cup

France eager to end the Deschamps era with a flourish

Cruelly described by Eric Cantona as a ‘water carrier’ during his playing career, Didier Deschamps has undoubtedly cemented a strong legacy with France.

Deschamps is one of just three men who have won the World Cup as a player and manager alongside Mario Zagallo (Brazil) and Franz Beckenbauer (Germany).

France were strangely underwhelming at the 2024 European Championship despite reaching the semi-final, scoring just three goals from open play.

They were far more prolific during the World Cup qualifiers, scoring 16 goals in six games to claim top spot in Group D ahead of Ukraine, Iceland and Azerbaijan. 

France recently recorded friendly victories over Brazil and Colombia to demonstrate that they are contenders to lift the trophy this summer.

Deschamps has a plethora of options at his disposal, most notably in attacking areas. These include Kylian Mbappe, who is one of the favourites to win the Golden Boot.

Mbappe finished as top scorer with eight goals at Qatar 2022, but ultimately finished with a runners-up medal after France were defeated on penalties by Argentina in the final.

Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, Rayan Cherki and Bradley Barcola are amongst a star-studded supporting cast who could cause havoc this summer.

However, while France are worthy favourites to win the World Cup, it would be foolish to think that they will have things all their own way.

They have been drawn alongside Senegal, Iraq and Norway in the group stage, all of whom have the ability to cause problems.

Senegal will head to the World Cup with a point to prove after being controversially stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title earlier this year.

Their squad is packed with players with elite-level experience and it would be foolish to underestimate their chances of upsetting the odds against France.

Iraq are the so-called ‘weakest team’ in the group, but will be playing for pride this summer as political tensions rage back home.

If France slip up in either of their first two group games, the pressure on their final fixture against Norway would significantly increase.

The Scandinavians were superb during qualifying, winning all eight games to finish ahead of Italy, Israel, Estonia and Moldova.

Manchester City star Erling Braut Haaland was the star of the show, scoring 16 goals to enhance his reputation as one of the most lethal strikers on the planet.

With plenty of other talented players at their disposal, Norway are perfectly capable of upsetting the odds by finishing top of Group I.

France’s recent record at the World Cup undoubtedly makes them a team to be feared, yet there is a nagging suspicion that they could suffer a shock result or two this summer. 

While FPL is a multi-faceted game, it is easy to break it down to a simple level. You pick a squad of 15 players and earn points based on their real-life performances.

You can compete in the overall league, or join private mini-leagues where you will be competing against your family, friends or work colleagues.

If you finish top of the FPL 2025/26 points standings at the end of the season, you could win one of several lucrative prizes. Here is a quick guide to get you started on FPL.

How to register

You must register on fantasy.premierleague.com to play FPL. From there, you need to create an account which involves a three-stage registration process.

Once you have completed these steps and confirmed your email address, you are ready to start picking your 15-man FPL squad.

Picking an FPL squad

FPL managers are given an initial budget of £100 million to spend on a squad of 15 players. All of the players in the game have been allocated a price. Your squad must consist of:

• 2 goalkeepers
• 5 defenders
• 5 midfielders
• 3 forwards

A maximum of three players can be chosen from any one Premier League club. As with real-life football, you need to create a well-balanced squad across all positions.

It is important to consider a team’s upcoming fixtures when choosing your squad. Check out the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR) to gain expert insights into the schedule.

Selecting your team

As with real-life football, you must select a starting XI for each FPL Gameweek. You can choose different formations such as 3-5-2 or 4-4-2.

Any formation can be chosen provided your line-up includes one goalkeeper, at least three defenders, at least two midfielders, and at least one forward. 

You must also choose a captain and a vice-captain. Your captain scores double points. The armband passes to the vice-captain if your captain does not play. As such, it’s worth selecting the players predicted by Spreadex Sports to perform the best each week for these two positions.

How to make transfers

FPL allows you to buy and sell players in the transfer market. Unlimited transfers can be made at no cost until the season starts.

Managers are given one free transfer for each Gameweek when the season begins. You can sign a new player, but you must also sell one and stay within your £100m budget.

Free transfers can be rolled over each week, up to a maximum of five. If you want to make additional transfers in a single week, each one will cost you four points.

Scoring points

There are numerous ways to accrue points in FPL in including your players scoring a goal, keeping a clean sheet and making other defensive contributions.

You can also lose points for yellow cards, red cards, and own goals. Click here to view the full list of ways you can score or lose points in FPL. 

How to use your chips

FPL managers have the opportunity to boost their points total by using one of their chips. There are a total of eight chips to use and only one can be played in a single Gameweek. The chips are as follows:

• Bench Boost: The points scored by your substitutes are included in your total.
• Free Hit: Make unlimited free transfers for a single Gameweek. Your squad reverts to how it was before those unlimited moves were made for the next week.
• Triple Captain: Your captain points are tripled instead of doubled.
• Wildcard: All transfers, including those already made, are free of charge.

All four chips can each be used twice a season, once in either half of the campaign. 

Leagues and cups

FPL managers are automatically allocated to global leagues when they enter their squad. You can also join and create mini-leagues to compete with family, friends, colleagues and others.

Please remember that spread betting carries a high level of risk to your capital and can result in losses larger than your initial stake/deposit. They may not be suitable for everyone so please ensure you fully understand the risks involved. GambleAware.org. 18+

Despite his popularity, Andrew Tate has been no stranger to controversy. His outspoken nature and controversial statements have often landed him in hot water with the public and the media. However, his fans continue to support him, and he remains a prominent figure in the world of social media and influencer marketing. Whether you love him or hate him, there is no denying that Andrew Tate is a fascinating individual with a unique story to tell. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the ten facts you didn’t know about Andrew Tate.

Rise to Fame and Social Media Presence

Kickboxing Champion to Internet Personality

Andrew Tate, a former kickboxing champion, rose to fame in the early 2010s. He became a well-known figure in the kickboxing community, winning several titles and championships. Tate then transitioned into the world of social media, where he found a new audience and gained popularity for his controversial opinions and lifestyle.

Controversial Influence on Social Media

Tate’s social media presence has been a topic of discussion among his followers and critics alike. He is known for his unapologetic and often controversial opinions on various topics, including politics, relationships, and mental health. His posts often spark heated debates and discussions among his followers.

Despite the controversy surrounding him, Tate has managed to maintain a large following on various social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. He has also been active on Twitter, where he often engages in discussions with his followers.

Tate’s popularity on social media can be attributed to his ability to appeal to a wide audience. He has a large following of both men and women, and his content is popular among people of all ages. His posts often go viral, thanks to the algorithms of social media platforms that promote popular content to a wider audience.

In conclusion, Andrew Tate has successfully made the transition from kickboxing champion to internet personality. His controversial opinions and lifestyle have gained him a large following on social media, where he continues to be a popular figure.

Legal Issues and Public Image

Arrest and Allegations

Andrew Tate has had his fair share of legal issues and allegations. In 2016, he was arrested in Romania on charges of human trafficking and organized crime. The investigation alleged that he was a part of an organized crime group that trafficked women for prostitution. However, he was later released without charges.

In 2020, Tate faced more allegations of misogyny and was banned from entering Australia and New Zealand. The ban was imposed after he made controversial comments about women, which were deemed offensive and misogynistic.

Public Perception and Media Bans

Andrew Tate’s public image has been marred by his legal issues and controversial statements. He has been accused of promoting misogyny and toxic masculinity, which has led to media bans and public backlash.

In 2021, he was banned from Twitter for violating the platform’s rules on hate speech. He has also been banned from other social media platforms, including Instagram and YouTube.

Despite the controversies surrounding him, Andrew Tate continues to maintain his wealth and notoriety. He has a large following on social media and has made a name for himself in the world of combat sports. However, his legal issues and allegations of misogyny continue to follow him.

How Did Andrew Tate Make His Money

Andrew Tate is a British kickboxer, entrepreneur, and social media personality. He has amassed a significant amount of wealth through his various business ventures and investments. Here are some of the ways Andrew Tate made his money:

1. Kickboxing: Andrew Tate is a former professional kickboxer who has won several titles in his career. He has fought in many high-profile matches and has earned a considerable amount of money through his fights. 
2. Real Estate: Andrew Tate is a successful real estate investor. He has invested in properties in various countries, including the UK, Romania, and the US. He has also developed several properties, which have generated significant returns. 
3. Online Business: Andrew Tate has several online businesses, including a fitness website, a cryptocurrency trading website, and a social media marketing agency. These businesses have provided him with a steady stream of income. 
4. YouTube: Andrew Tate has a popular YouTube channel where he shares his thoughts on various topics, including fitness, business, and personal development. He has a significant following on the platform, which has enabled him to earn money through advertising revenue and sponsorships. 
5. Investments: Andrew Tate has made several investments in various industries, including technology, finance, and real estate. He has a keen eye for spotting profitable opportunities and has made some successful investments. 

Overall, Andrew Tate’s wealth has been primarily generated through his successful career as a kickboxer, his real estate investments, and his online businesses. He has demonstrated a strong entrepreneurial spirit and has been able to leverage his skills and knowledge to build a successful and lucrative career.

Many fans, knowing the ins and outs of their favorite team and sports, find themselves betting at Draftkings Sportsbook, and their knowledge makes their opinion stand out. Giving the supporters a bigger say provides a democratic way of making decisions. But democracy doesn’t guarantee the making of better decisions.

Sports, which is primarily a meritocratic domain, has seen a lot of politics throughout history and has complicated the question of their relationship even further, and there isn’t a simple solution to the problem, if we consider it to be one, that is.

The Power to Bring Change

Sports events hold tremendous power to bring political change in a country. There are certain examples of authoritarian regimes, like North Korea and Nazi Germany that held, and still hold (in the case of North Korea) sports as an important national interest but have done little to none to bring about reform.

But if we look at the apartheid movement, in which the decision the exclude South Africa from the Olympics had a significant impact on ending it, showing the power that sports hold in bringing the authoritarian into the light.

The Power in the Wrong Hands

Sports, as a business and an entertainment industry, naturally inclines itself toward countries where money trumps and where liberty may or may not. Today, more and more sports events are hosted by wealthy dictatorships, providing themselves with an international political platform and political legitimacy that further suppresses the voices of the reformers in the country.

A Conflict of Opinions

A recent debate in politics that hasn’t seen much consensus but has been accepted in sports is the participation of transgender individuals. It isn’t common for policies to come into effect when the public opinion hasn’t even settled on an issue, but its consequences in sports, particularly the transgender issue, make things much more complicated and muddy.

Many activists see it being unfair to women in sports, as many of the athletes who have gone through male puberty before transitioning have seen great success in women’s sports. Access regulations are put into place to ensure fair competition, but are seen by the opposers as a transphobic act of discrimination.

Historically, sports have been perceived as a male domain, and women in sports still feel the ripples of the struggle they have gone through throughout history. The progressive movements like the trans-movement, though for a good cause, hurt women, and as trans individuals struggle to find acceptance in sports, this issue ends up becoming a controversial one.

An Uneasy Blend

It is impossible to write the final thoughts on the relationship between sports and politics, as it is complicated, to say the least. The problem isn’t easy to solve; the conflict of interest exists across the board. People will continue to be possessed by their ideologies without looking at the aerial view of the issue as a whole.

The place of sports in our society remains significant, and politics and policies will continue influencing the lives of sportsmen of today, and neither of them can escape the other.