France have featured in eleven World Cups so far and although always a force to be reckoned with they never really proved themselves until 1998 when they took the trophy on home soil. Four years later in Japan/Korea it all fell apart and they failed to score a single point and finished bottom of their group. It was a big shock to all and maybe they've yet to recover from it.
Some changes were needed and Raymond Domenech was brought in to take them through qualification for Germany 2006. Despite some poor performances and the international retirement of some influential players; Bixente Lizarazu, Claude Makelele, Lilian Thuram, and Zinedine Zidane the hero of 2002.
Looking at Group G France will expect to finish top but only if they can forget the past and work together like they know they can. [Latest France Squad News]