French-born Moroccan coach Walid Regragui explained the reasons for France’s success.
“When you look at what France has done in the last 20 years, they are the best footballing country in the world,” he said.
“I’m also proud because I grew up in France. They have the best players, the best coach and their national team is the best in the world.”
French clubs have turned neighboring leagues into an art form for developing and selling young talent, often to their own detriment when it comes to competing in Europe.
But the national team has benefited.
The extraordinary Kylian Mbappe is the current icon of Deschamps’ team, which is without current Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema due to injury.
Only five of those who started for France in the 2018 final are likely to do so on Sunday, while Hugo Lloris, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud are the sole survivors from Euro 2016.
But others, such as 22-year-old Aurélien Tchoumeni or even semi-finalist super-sub Randall Kolo Muani, have stepped up in Qatar and France are in the World Cup finals again.
It’s familiar territory for them these days.
