France

By Jordan Mulach

Team: France

Nickname: Les Bleus (The Blues)

World Cup appearances: 15 (won in 1998)

World Ranking: 7

Coach: Didier Deschamps

Captain: Hugo Lloris

Leading Goal Scorer: Olivier Giroud (31 goals)

Player to watch: Paul Pogba
A young gun who will be making his second World Cup appearance, and looking to replicate his strong form after taking the Best Young Player Award in the 2014 World Cup. The midfielder has nine goals under his belt for Les Bleus, the best of any non-forward in the squad.

NowUC Predictor:
While the group stages should see France advance through to the knockout rounds, they could struggle to get past the round of 16 if they have to face the higher-ranked Argentinian squad who will likely top group D.