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Arsene Wenger snubs Brazil and Argentina and names his World Cup favourite.
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has publicly omitted Brazil and Argentina from his list of favourites to win the 2022 World Cup in favour of France.
On Tuesday night, the defending World Cup champions face Australia to open their campaign. Didier Deschamps‘ team will also face Tunisia and Denmark in Group D.
Ahead of the competition, France will be absent a number of important players, including Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Presnel Kimpembe, and Christopher Nkunku.
Wenger, though, thinks that France’s pre-World Cup failures might work in Deschamps‘ favour in Qatar.
When asked to name his pick to win the World Cup, Wenger told Wettbasis: ‘My number-one favourite is France. Not because I’m French by birth but because this Equipe Tricolore has the best attack.
‘If Didier Deschamps manages to ensure the necessary stability on the defensive, then the reigning world champion will have a good chance of successfully defending his title.
‘When you’re the reigning world champion, the biggest danger is not having any worries.
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The teams that take it easy and aren’t focused enough on their task almost always get a nasty surprise and don’t stay in the race for long.
‘To be honest, I even consider it good news that the French national team has work to do. As a result, she had to renew a few things and I am now firmly assuming that this can only have a positive effect on the performance in Doha, because Didier Deschamps’ team will be even more focused as a result.’
Wenger also believes Brazil, Argentina, England and Spain as France’s closest challengers.
‘In the past 12-15 months, the Brazilian national team has made the best impression,’ said Wenger.
‘A very experienced side with a leader like Neymar who has been in fantastic shape for the last six months.
‘Argentina will certainly also be a factor to be reckoned with. Lionel Messi will do everything to break this curse and finally become world champion.
‘England definitely has the potential to go far. Gareth Southgate’s team has always finished in the last four in previous tournaments. This is certainly no coincidence.WithJude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Mason Mount, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and so on, England have plenty of young talent in their ranks.
‘I also see Spain, which should never be written off, because technically there is enormous potential in this team, especially with the defensive midfield duo of Pedri and Gavi.’