FIFA World Cup Betting: The 1998 World Cup champions have quite the history in this illustrious event, winning it once and finishing in third place in both 1958 and 1986. However, many are down on their ability to actually contend in this year's tournament considering the fact that their slot in this field of 32 is under significant question.

F Thierry Henry used his hand to knock down a ball in the box in extra time against Ireland in a home-and-home playoff for a World Cup spot. The handball ultimately led to the match winning and World Cup bid clinching goal. The Irish protested the outcome of the match for weeks, but ultimately were denied their entry.

Henry is the only member of this team that was around for the title in 1998, making France a difficult team to make World Cup picks on.

M Franck Ribery may be used in either a starting role or a relief role, but regardless, he will be a headliner for Les Bleus. Ribery plays for Bayern Munich, the German Bundesliga champions. He scored four goals in ten matches in domestic play this year, and he is going to be a cog in the middle of the French lineup in June. He went goalless in three qualifying match appearances, but has the creativity to hit the back of the net with every strike.

The World Cup betting lines feature France as odds on -105 favorites to win Group A, a rather weak group which includes Uruguay, Mexico, and South Africa. The French are +1200 to lift the trophy for the second time in team history.