Euro 2020 Power Rankings: September 2018

#6 France

France returned from the World Cup as heroes

The world champions returned to action just a few months after lifting the ultimate prize in Russia. Unlike many World champions, the majority of their squad is still together, and it is still a relatively young group, and this will likely be the same side that represents them in four years’ time in 2022. They received a hero’s welcome on their return to France, and rightly so, having won just their country’s second world title.

It wasn’t the easiest start to their post-World Cup life, as they faced up to two tough fixtures with Germany and the Netherlands. Their first game was a goalless draw with the Germans, despite being probably the better side on the night. In their second Nations League game against the Netherlands, they won 2-1 thanks to Olivier Giroud’s volleyed winner, after Kylian Mbappe had opened the scoring.