France

Coach:

Raymond Domenech

Born: 24/01/52

Goalkeepers

Gregory Coupet (Olympique Lyon)

Born: 31/12/72 Caps: 31 Goals: 0

Emerged from the shadow of Fabien Barthez after the World Cup. Missed the first six months of the season after tearing a knee ligament in training just before the opening Ligue Un game.

Sebastien Frey (Fiorentina)

Born: 18/03/80 Caps: 1 Goals: 0

Slapped the ball into his own net in his single international appearance so far but still regarded as one of the finest keepers in the Italian Serie A.

Steve Mandanda (Olympique Marseille)

Born: 28/03/85 Caps: 1 Goals: 0

Mandanda is a spectacular goalkeeper, not unlike former number one Bernard Lama.

Defenders

William Gallas (Arsenal)

Born: 17/08/77 Caps: 62 Goals: 2

An experienced centre-back, the Arsenal captain has become an automatic choice for Domenech, although his leadership at club level has been questioned. In him and Lilian Thuram, France have one of the most reliable central defensive pairings in world soccer.

Willy Sagnol (Bayern Munich)

Born: 18/03/77 Caps: 56 Goals: 0

France's number one right-back. Returned to action for Bayern after a month on the sidelines with a slipped disc, featuring in an unusual midfield role.

Patrice Evra (Manchester United)

Born: 15/05/81 Caps: 11 Goals: 0

Number two behind Eric Abidal at left-back, the elegant Evra boosted his chances with an excellent season with Manchester United, helping them to the Premier League title.

Lilian Thuram (Barcelona)

Born: 01/01/72 Caps: 140 Goals: 2

Not a regular starter at Barcelona but France's most-capped team member.

Eric Abidal (Barcelona)

Born: 11/09/79 Caps: 35 Goals: 0

A reliable left-back and a critical member of the Olympique Lyon side, Abidal has struggled to adapt in his first season at Barcelona.

Jean-Alain Boumsong (Olympique Lyon)

Born: 14/12/79 Caps: 23 Goals: 1

The athletic Cameroon-born is back in France, at Lyon, after spells at Rangers, Newcastle and Juventus. Experienced, but second choice in central defence behind Thuram and William Gallas.

Francois Clerc (Olympique Lyon)

Born: 18/04/83 Caps: 12 Goals: 0

A product of the Lyon ranks, he competes there with Anthony Reveillere for a place in the first team. Domenech, however, seems to prefer Clerc, a solid defender and a good crosser of the ball.

Sebastien Squillaci (Olympique Lyon)

Born: 11/08/80 Caps: 13 Goals: 0

Once the partner of Gael Givet in central defence at Monaco and in the France team, Squillaci lost his place after Thuram returned to international football. Strong performances for Lyon the last two seasons have put him back in contention, but is no longer an automatic starter.

Midfielders

Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)

Born: 01/04/83 Caps: 27 Goals:4

Hit the big time at the World Cup and has improved this season after joining Bayern Munich from Olympique Marseille.

Claude Makelele (Chelsea)

Born: 18/02/73 Caps: 68 Goals: 0

Makelele is one of the world's finest holding midfielders. He is expected to retire from international football after the tournament.

Patrick Vieira (Inter)

Born: 23/06/76 Caps: 105 Goals: 6

Injuries have hampered the French captain this season but he has a record of recapturing his best form at major tournaments.

Jeremy Toulalan (Olympique Lyon)

Born: 10/09/83 Caps: 13 Goals: 0

A discreet but effective defensive midfielder who has become an automatic starter at Olympique Lyon.

Samir Nasri (Olympique Marseille)

Born: 26/06/87 Caps: 10 Goals: 2

The son of Algerian immigrants, raised in a tough Marseille suburb and a team member with unique skills. Sounds familiar? Nasri keeps hearing that he is the new Zinedine Zidane.

Florent Malouda (Chelsea)

Born: 13/06/80 Caps: 39 Goals: 3

A fast winger with a devastating left foot.

Lassana Diarra (Portsmouth)

Born: 10/03/85 Caps: 13 Goals: 0

Versatile and used both as holding midfielder and right-back.

Forwards

Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)

Born: 14/03/79 Caps: 48 Goals: 11

Hailed as the next big name in French football while still a teenager, the much-travelled Anelka has struggled to live up to expectations but appears to be doing so now.

Karim Benzema (Olympique Lyon)

Born: 19/12/87 Caps: 11 Goals: 3

This season's revelation, Benzema has skills reminiscent of the great Zidane but scores a lot more goals.

Bafetimbi Gomis (St Etienne)

Born: 06/08/85 Caps: 2 Goals: 2

One of two uncapped team members on the list along with reserve goalkeeper Mandanda.

Thierry Henry (Barcelona)

Born: 17/08/77 Caps: 100 Goals: 44

His move from Arsenal to Barca has not paid off and he has voiced frustration at being forced to man the left wing instead of the centre forward. France's all-time goal scorer ahead of Michel Platini.

Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyon)

Born: 27/07/79 Caps: 32 Goals: 7

Came through the ranks at Lyon, Govou is a fast, clever winger who can fit into all tactics.