Les Bleus picked up just one point in South Africa as they bowed out at the group stage without winning a match, and there were further claims of infighting during a Euro 2012 campaign which at least reached the quarter-finals.

After finishing behind Spain in qualifying for Brazil, France had to negotiate a tricky play-off against Ukraine and they booked their place in dramatic style as a 3-0 second-leg victory secured a narrow 3-2 aggregate success.

The draw for the World Cup finals has been kinder on France and they will expect to come through a group also containing Switzerland and Ecuador, even though they suffered a major blow on the eve of the tournament when talismanic winger Franck Ribery was ruled out due to a back problem.

Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier also had to be replaced in the squad after sustaining a thigh problem, but Didier Deschamps still hopes to progress a long way.

“We have to be ambitious and we will continue to be,” said Deschamps, who has also left Samir Nasri out of his squad after highlighting the importance of unity.

In Nasri’s absence, the midfield spots are likely to be occupied by Paul Pogba, Blaise Matuidi and Yohan Cabaye, but Deschamps still has decisions to make over the rest of his line-up.
Honduras will take heart from a goalless draw against England in their final friendly fixture and coach Luis Fernando Suarez may decide to keep changes to a minimum.

The British-based quartet of Emilio Izaguirre, Maynor Figueroa, Wilson Palacios and Roger Espinoza will all be key players for Suarez.

Rangers midfielder Arnold Peralta will not be available, though, after being ruled out of the squad with a thigh injury and replaced by Real Espana’s Edder Delgado.

Honduras, like France, collected just a point in South Africa four years ago and they are still without a World Cup win as they enter the finals for a third time.