Predicting the France Squad for the 2018 World Cup

The 2014 World Cup has been a huge success for France. They no longer have to remember the awful disappointment of 2010 and can look to the future.

Les Bleus host the 2016 European Championship and will then go about qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Didier Deschamps is likely to build upon this current squad with an eye on two years’ time, but it is much more difficult to forecast what the squad will look like in four years’ time.

Only four members of the squad that played in South Africa made the trip to Brazil, and the average age of the squad dropped from 27.4 to 26.3 in just four years.

It would be a shock if there were as many changes to the squad in four years, but it is still a long time in football.

No matter how good a group Deschamps has now, and no matter how happy the current camp is, there will still be fair number of changes.

Read on for what could be France's squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Notable Mentions

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The list of players who haven't been picked for this 23-man 2018 squad could be longer than the squad itself. If it's one thing that France has more than most countries, it's a blossoming group of young, talented players.

Goalkeepers are never a problem. Look out for Zacharie Boucher of Toulouse and Nice's young talent Mouez Hassen.

Defensively, there could be long careers ahead for Chelsea new boy Kurt Zouma and Lyon's talented duo Samuel Umtiti and Mouhamadou-Naby Sarr. Don't forget Valenciennes' centre-back Lindsay Rose who has fallen off the radar recently with a long-term injury.

In midfield you have the likes of Jordan Veretout, who played as France won the Under-20 World Cup in Turkey last summer. Valentin Eysseric, Morgan Sanson and Axel Ngando have also begun to impress for the Under-21s.

Upfront, France may lack a proper centre-forward coming through, but with Paul-Georges Ntep, Anthony Martial, Yaya Sanogo and Kingsley Coman all threatening to become world beaters, you would think that at least one of this crop would develop into a top international.

Fourteen names there, and that's just from the current Under-21 group. There are players such as Antoine Conte, Theo Pellenard, Adrien's Hunou and Rabiot and Lenny Nangis all impressing for the Under-20s.

Further down the pyramid, you have Corentin Jean, Wylan Cyprien, Hervin Ongenda and Maxwel Cornet all set to break into first-team football this coming season.

France has a bright future; the 2014 World Cup was just the start.

GK: Hugo Lloris

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There is absolutely no reason why Hugo Lloris would be replaced as France's No. 1 goalkeeper in the next four years, especially as he will have just turned 31 and most likely still be playing at the top level.

France has a handful of really good keepers coming through, and some may go on to great things, but with goalkeepers playing on till their mid-30s, Lloris will certainly still be at his peak by 2018.

Where he is playing is all down to the success of Spurs as there will be a huge amount of top European clubs watching his career, but you can guarantee that whoever is in charge of the France national team, Lloris will still be one of the first names on the teamsheet.

GK: Alphonse Areola

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After spending much of his younger days in the youth system of Paris Saint-Germain, last season, Alphonse Areola got his chance to impress by going out on loan to Ligue 2 side RC Lens.

The 21-year-old didn’t disappoint, helping Lens secure promotion to Ligue 1—he was outstanding. Showing great presence in his area, he is a fantastic shot-stopper and is amazingly athletic.

Last summer, he made some very important saves as France won the Under-20 World Cup, especially during the shootout against Uruguay in the final.

Watch for Areola to impress in Ligue 1 and push his way into the French national team.

GK: Paul Nardi

While the full national team was flying off to Brazil, young Paul Nardi was taking on the Brazilians in the final of the Toulon Youth Festival in the south of France.

Some excellent performances in the earlier rounds helped his country reach the final, where they were outwitted 5-2 by the South American side, but it has done no harm to Nardi’s reputation.

After an excellent season with AS Nancy in Ligue 2, he has just signed a deal with AS Monaco this summer, but he will spend next season back at Nancy on loan.

This gives him the chance to continue to develop in familiar surroundings but with the knowledge that a team that is determined to become one of the top sides in Europe has faith that he can one day be their No. 1 keeper.

DF: Mathieu Debuchy

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Much like the position of Patrice Evra in the current France squad, Mathieu Debuchy has all the ability to play for his country for another four years.

He will have the experience of playing in both France and England for a long time, and he will be hoping the next four years are filled with his career involving games in the Champions or the Europa League.

There is a chance he may not still be starting at right-back, but at 32 years old, he will have a level of experience needed in an international squad. Debuchy is the perfect man to develop into one of France's elder statesmen.

DF: Sebastien Corchia

After breaking through as a young 18-year-old at Le Mans, Sebastien Corchia moved to high-flying Sochaux. However, as his career continued to impress, Sochaux went the other way.

Last summer, he was meant to move to Lyon or Marseille according to Ben Jefferson of the Express—both moves fell through. Then, a winter move to Lille collapsed, even after he had been paraded with the shirt.

All three of those moves should have pushed Corchia to the next level. As a former captain of the under-21 side, he was expected to be a huge star by now, but it hasn’t quite happened.

Finally, he has moved from Sochaux and will play for Lille this season. Given the chance at a club known for bringing through young talent can only help his ambitions to become a full international for his country.

DF: Raphael Varane

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In the next four years, Raphael Varane has a chance at blossoming into the best centre-back in the world.

Only 21 years old now, and he is already considered to be in the higher echelons of the defensive side of the game.

He is only going to develop and learn from every year he plays at Real Madrid, and it would take a phenomenal bid to lure him away.

The most important factor is that he will still be playing for a top club, in a top league and will grow into becoming one of France's leaders.

DF: Mamadou Sakho

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At 24 years old, Mamadou Sakho should already have a fair bit of experience behind him. He stagnated a little at Paris Saint-Germain and wasn't able to play for the majority of the season at Liverpool.

What he does have is the trust of Deschamps and the chance to grow beside Varane, giving France a consistent duo that should at least see them through the next two years.

After that, it is up to Sakho to become the player everyone predicted he would be 10 years ago.

DF: Aymeric Laporte

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There were calls for Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte to make it into Deschamps' 30-man squad for the current World Cup. He would have been the youngest player in the squad, and with only a handful of Under-21 caps, it was always unlikely.

If he performs just as well in the new season for his club and picks up some more games for the youth sides, it won’t be long until Laporte is a full member of the national team.

There may be some names ahead of him, like Zouma, Umtiti and Naby Sarr, but Laporte has the ability to jump past them straight into the heart of France’s defence.

Don’t be surprised if he is starting alongside Varane come Russia 2018.

DF: Lucas Digne

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The young Paris Saint-Germain defender has been earmarked for Patrice Evra's place in the France squad ever since he broke through at Lille two seasons ago.

There is a case that he earned his call-up well before he god the nod, but once his £15 million move to PSG happened, it wasn't long until he was brought into the full national team.

He was a member of the Under-20 squad that won the World Cup in Turkey in 2013. He excelled at left-back then, and now, he is set to win a starting role at Paris. He will take Evra's place once the Manchester United defender steps aside.

At just 20 years old, Digne is likely to be France's first-choice left-back for the foreseeable future. Then, it's up to him to keep that place.

DF: Layvin Kurzawa

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After a wonderful season for Monaco, Layvin Kurzawa has started his journey toward the French national team with some appearances in the Under-21 side. There was speculation ahead of Deschamps picking his preliminary squad that he could have made a late dash for a place.

He will continue to develop for both club and country, and once Evra steps down, he will join Digne for the fight to see who the future left-back will be.

Kurzawa is faster and stronger than Digne, but the PSG man is a better defender. Both have the chance to develop at very good clubs and adapt on the weaknesses they both have.

It is going to be a very good battle in the next few years.

MF: Blaise Matuidi

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The reputation of Blaise Matuidi has done nothing but grow at the 2014 World Cup.

Yohan Cabaye was unspectacular but consistent. Paul Pogba threatened to impress on occasions, but it was Matuidi that ran his lungs out and drove the France team forward.

Four more years and he will 31 years old and at the height of his career. PSG hope to blossom in the Champions League, and Matuidi will be pushing them forward at every stage.

France will need experience and talent, and Matuidi will give them both.

MF: Moussa Sissoko

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At only 24 years old, Moussa Sissoko still has a long career ahead of him. His name has been around for so long that you could easily think he is already 28.

That will come in four years’ time when there is little doubt that the Newcastle United midfielder will still provide his country which a boost of energy, strength and a never-say-die attitude.

Four years wiser and with hundreds more games under his belt, he could grow into a very important player for France.

MF: Paul Pogba

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If the experts are to be believed, in four years’ time, Pogba could be one of the best footballers in the world.

The minutes and the experience he has gained during this World Cup will undoubtedly be a huge boost to how he develops over the next few years.

He already has the talent and the ability, plus years playing the game will sharpen his decision-making and turn him into a true leader.

MF: Morgan Schneiderlin

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He may not have managed a huge number of minutes during the 2014 World Cup, but now that the Southampton midfielder has got his foot in the door, he will now get the chance to prove himself for his country.

Morgan Schneiderlin could be the long-term replacement in Cabaye's deep-lying midfield role, and if he shows what he has for the Saints on the international stage, he could provide France with a stronger defensive piece to the puzzle.

The way he has grown as a player in the last four years is quite scary if he continues to learn from his time in England.

MF: Enzo Zidane

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The name Zidane is synonymous with the World Cup; come 2018, we could have the return of this great name—but in the guise of Zinedine’s son, Enzo Zidane.

The midfielder currently plays for Real Madrid's youth side and is also part of France’s Under-19 squad. He has already made it this far, and there is a chance he could go all the way.

What an absolutely amazing fairytale story it could be, if 12 years after his father said goodbye to the game in the final of the 2006 World Cup, his son could wear the No. 10 jersey for France and lead his team to glory.

You’ve got to have a dream haven’t you?

MF: Marco Ilaimaharitra

Pogba went to the 2014 World Cup as a well-regarded 21-year-old, and young Marco Ilaimaharitra will be 22 years old in four years. The young midfielder, who could become the “next Rio Mavuba,” has the potential to be one of the surprise inclusions in the France squad.

At 18 years old, he has already forced his way into the Sochaux first team. With Les Lionceaux playing in Ligue 2 next season, he should gain more playing time. We will know a lot more about Ilaimaharitra in the next 18 months, as by then, he could be fighting for a place in the Under-21 side.

There are so many impressive young midfielders making a name for themselves in the France youth sides, but there is just something about Ilaimaharitra that helps him stand out from the crowd.

MF: Jordan Ferri

Last season, one of the reasons behind the success of Lyon, was the emergence of versatile central midfielder Jordan Ferri.

One thing the current France squad lacked was players who could play in a number of different roles. Currently a member of the Under-21 squad, Ferri would be a perfect player for France if he continues to develop as he has in the past 12 months.

He has great ability on the ball, the vision to pick out a pass and a tenacity to fight and win the ball back for his team. He is everything you want from a midfielder, and he is only going to get better in the current Lyon team.

FW: Remy Cabella

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Four years could be a long time for Remy Cabella to wait to make his World Cup debut. One of only two outfield players that didn’t gain a minute of playing time, he will then be 28 years old when he gets another chance.

Brazil’s Ronaldo never played when he went to the 1994 World Cup, and he was one of the best strikers in the world when he made his tournament debut in France. Cabella will be hoping for a similar turnaround.

Cabella could develop his game and become the same type of player that Mathieu Valbuena was for France at this tournament. He has the chance to be even better than the Marseille man.

FW: Olivier Giroud

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Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud will never set the world on fire, but you can guarantee he will put in a great shift. He can be the focal point of the attack.

He may never score five World Cup goals in a single tournament, but given time and opportunities on the pitch, he can help set up just as many goals.

Giroud showed in Brazil that he is a great team player; he took Deschamps' decisions well and was a member of the squad first and was there for the team.

A lot can happen in four years. Eight years ago, before the 2018 World Cup, Giroud was 23 and playing in Ligue 2 for Tours. Perhaps the "next Giroud" could come from nowhere and take his place.

FW: Antoine Griezmann

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Antoine Griezmann could be the player that becomes the star of Les Bleus over the next four years.

Karim Benzema wasn't part of the squad four years ago, and now, the Real Madrid man is the main striker. Four years of play could see Griezmann take his place and fire France to glory in 2016 before guiding the team to Russia.

He has a huge future ahead of him, an impressive debut at the World Cup at just 23 and a handful of caps. No doubt, he will be hungry for more.

FW: Alexandre Lacazette

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After scoring 15 goals in Ligue 1 last season, Alexandre Lacazette was unlucky to miss out on a place at this World Cup.

That was the Lyon forward's breakout year, and now, it is time for the 23-year-old to establish himself as a top striker. If he can do that, then he will quickly become a part of the France national team setup.

At 27, in four years’ time, it is the perfect age, and he will be at the peak of his abilities.

He needs to grab his place quickly, because there are always young and exciting forwards coming through the France youth systems. His partnership with Griezmann could become one of the most exciting combinations in European football.

FW: Florian Thauvin

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Under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa at Marseille, Florian Thauvin has the potential to become one of France’s greatest young players.

If Marseille had enjoyed a better season collectively, there is a chance he could have gone to the 2014 World Cup in place of someone like Cabella. Now, Thauvin has to kick on, make Marseille his team and establish himself as a top international player.

Another player from the wonderful Under-20 World Cup-winning squad, he was absolutely superb in that tournament. Attitude issues have arisen since then, and now, it is very much make-or-break time.

If he has a really positive 12 months under Bielsa, he will be a definite for the 2016 Euros squad. Then, the team could become his by 2018.

FW: Neal Maupay

Young Neal Maupay is one of the most exciting strikers of his generation. He has already shown his willingness to fight by overcoming a serious knee injury, returning quicker than expected while continuing to shine for Nice.

At just 16 years old, he scored his first league goal, a late injury-time winner against Evian. This showed what he is all about: anticipation, awareness and the coolness to finish under pressure.

Now, he has five league games to his name, he will turn 18 during the first month of the new season, and this could be where he begins to catch people’s attention.

He currently plays for the France Under-21 squad and has scored once in just two games. Add this to the 10 goals he scored between the U-16 and U-17 teams and you have yourself a very exciting young striker.