Lionel Messi’s Argentina challenges reigning champions France for the right to hold the 2022 World Cup when they meet in the final at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday.
It could have been another final between Croatia and France after the 2018 event that was ultimately won by Les Bleus, but Lionel Scaloni’s men flipped the script with a 3-0 win over the Checkered Ones in the semi-final.
The French followed that up by beating fan-favorite underdogs Morocco 2-0 in the second semi-final to become the first champions to participate in successive finals in 24 years, and are now in contention to break a 60-year-old record that it has held since Brazil successfully defended its title in 1962
SIALNEWS gives you details on how to watch the game on TV in the US, UK, Africa and India, as well as how to stream it live online.
All the FIFA World Cup 2022 Highlights at FIFA+
Argentina
Argentina enter the final four with fresh concerns over the pairing of Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot, who presented with cold-like symptoms and missed training on Tuesday, leaving the duo classified as doubtful for the contest. Ibrahima Konate and Youssouf Fofana will be substituted if necessary.
If Deschamps has them all available, the Bleus XI will pick themselves, with Jules Kounde firmly unseating Benjamin Pavard at right-back and Theo Hernández doing a competent job in the absence of his troubled brother Lucas Hernández, who suffered a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament at its opening. match with Australia.
Argentina’s all-time top scorer for men Giroud could become the oldest player in history to score five goals in a single World Cup if he gets the net flowing here, and while Kylian Mbappe remained relatively calm against England, Les Bleus have now won all 10 World Cup matches the 23-year-old has started.
France
Moroccan striker Walid Cheddira picked up two yellow cards in quick succession against Portugal and will be suspended for the semi-final, but the 24-year-old was never expected to push for a starting job.
West Ham United’s Aguero missed the quarter-final win over Portugal after picking up an adductor injury against Argentina in the round of 16 but Regragui will do everything he can to make him available after Romain Saiss had to be removed on a stretcher on Saturday due to an ongoing injury. hamstring problem.
Saiss has stated that he will do everything in his power to be fit for the semi-final, where Mazraoui could also force his return to the fray with a hip flexor issue, and Hakim Ziyech will hope to be fine despite he was also forced to withdraw. weekend.
However, Regragui can rest easy after witnessing the determined performances of Yahia Attiyat Allah and Jawad El Yamiq against Portugal, and at least one of the two should be required in some way here.
Argentina vs France Semi-Final: Date & kick-off time
| Game: | Argentina vs France |
| Date: | December 18, 2022 |
| Kick-off: | 10am ET / 3pm GMT / 5pm CAT / 8:30pm IST |
| Venue: | Lusail Stadium, Qatar |
| Stream: | fuboTV (start with a free trial) |
How to watch World Cup final between Argentina vs France on TV & live stream online
In the United States (U.S.), the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (start with a free trial). New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.
Viewers in the U.S. can also watch the game on FOX (English) and Telemundo (Spanish).
ITV1 and STV are showing the clash in the United Kingdom (UK), with streaming via ITVX and STV Player.
In India, the Sports18 network has the rights to show World Cup games on TV, with streaming services on JioCinema.
In Pakistan, ASports HD By ARY Network has the right to stream the FIFA World Cup 2022 games on TV in Pakistan Territory.
| Region | TV channel | Live stream |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. | FOX, Telemundo | fuboTV |
| UK | ITV1, STV | ITVX, STV Player |
| India | Sports18 – 1 SD, MTV HD | JioCinema |
| Africa | SuperSport | SuperSport |
Argentina squad and team news
Marcos Acuña and Gonzalo Montiel return from serving a one-match ban, but the latter may have lost his place to an emerging Nahuel Molina, while Acuña can regain his spot from Nicolás Tagliafico in a four-man backline with Lisandro Martinez relegated to the bench. .
La Albiceleste will closely follow Messi after the maestro healed his hamstring in the semifinals, apart from the fact that Alejandro Gómez is a doubt due to a sprained ankle and Ángel Di María needs to pass a physical test to start ahead of Leandro Walls. .
It will be up to Paulo Dybala and Lautaro Martínez to demonstrate once again their effectiveness from the bench.
Argentina possible XI: E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez.
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | E. Martinez, Armani, Rulli |
| Defenders | Otamendi, Acuna, Tagliafico, Pezzella, Molina, Montiel, Foyth, Romero, Li. Martinez |
| Midfielders | Paredes, De Paul, Rodriguez, Palacios, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Gomez |
| Forwards | Messi, La. Martinez, Dybala, Almada, Alvarez, Di Maria, Correa |
France squad & team news
The entire France team trained on Saturday despite a virus outbreak at the camp. Reportedly ill due to the constant air conditioning in Qatar’s stadiums, Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot had missed the semi-final against Morocco, while Aurelien Tchouameni and Theo Hernandez missed Friday’s training.
Kingsley Coman, Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate also called in sick earlier in the week and team doctors will have the final say on the trio’s availability.
Rabiot’s return to the XI means Youssouf Fofana must sacrifice his place in the middle, while Upamecano’s participation would be based on Konate’s well-being, or not, with Coman starting and Theo Hernández expected to keep his place despite of some blows against Morocco. .
That attack will undoubtedly be led by Antoine Griezmann and by Kylian Mbappe just behind Olivier Giroud, who is given the big responsibility up front.
France possible XI: Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud.
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Lloris, Areola, Mandanda |
| Defenders | Pavard, Kounde, Varane, Disasi, Saliba, Hernandez, Konate, Upamecano |
| Midfielders | Rabiot, Tchouameni, Fofana, Guendouzi, Veretout, Camavinga |
| Forwards | Coman, Mbappe, Giroud, Griezmann, Dembele, Kolo Muani, Thuram |
