IT is one of the statistical quirks of the World Cup that reigning champions have a dreadful record when it comes to trying to defend their trophy. In four of the last five tournaments, the defending champions have failed to make it beyond the group stage. That is hardly a new phenomenon though – you have to go all the way back to 1962 and Brazil to find the last time the same nation won back-to-back World Cups.

All of which counts against France as they attempt to retain the crown they claimed in Russia four-and-a-half years ago, but which has not necessarily sat easily on their head since. Riven by internal strife and injury, and heading to Qatar on the back of a dreadful recent run that saw them lose five of their six matches in the recent Nations League, France look vulnerable champions. That said, however, with a forward line that is likely to be comprised of Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema and Ousmane Dembele, if everything was to click, the talent is definitely there.

The make-up of the midfield is the major concern, with the absence of both N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba representing a major blow given their ongoing importance to Didier Deschamps’ side. Last week, Deschamps lost another in-form attacking midfielder, with Christopher Nkunku suffering a training-ground injury that ruled him out of the tournament.

Throw in a raft of simmering off-field issues that include allegations of sexual harassment against the federation president, an image-rights dispute involving Mbappe and an alleged breakdown in the relationship between Mbappe and Pogba that reportedly relates to the possible involvement of a witch doctor, and you have all the ingredients for a difficult few weeks. It would be folly to rule France out, but they will kick off in Qatar with plenty to prove.

Topping the group is far from guaranteed, especially as they have been drawn with a Denmark side that beat them home and away in the recent staging of the Nations League.

The Danes showcased their organisation, commitment and ability as they made it all the way to the semi-finals of the Euros last summer, only succumbing to England in extra-time in the last four, and there is nothing to suggest they have regressed in the course of the last 18 months.

If anything, with Christian Eriksen back to his best and the likes of Joakim Maehle and Andreas Skov Olsen having enjoyed breakthrough seasons on the club stage, they might be even better this time around, which should enable them to reach the knockout stages as a bare minimum.

They start against a Tunisia side that continue to rely heavily on former Sunderland forward Wahbi Khazri, and whose workmanlike approach is unlikely to be good enough to make an impact at this level.

Tunisia boast a well-drilled defence and a combative midfield, but while they will not be easy for anyone to break down, they are unlikely to boast the firepower needed to progress.

It is also hard to see Australia making it out of the group, with the Socceroos lacking the kind of European-based stars that shone in their golden generation of the 2000s.

Middlesbrough’s Riley McGree will hope to get a starting spot in midfield, while youngster Garang Kuol, who will officially complete his agreed move to Newcastle United in January, could explode onto the world stage at the age of just 18. Even if he does, though, Australia will have to exceed all expectations to finish in the top two.