World cup heat up

France's World Cup preparations are well and truly underway as the squad enjoyed a day of photography and also got a feel for their official tournament suit.

It all began to feel very real for some of the members of the French squad not so accustomed to major tournament football, as they took some time out of training on Wednesday at their Clairefontaine base to pose for photographs.
The likes of Benjamin Mendy and Thomas Lemar would have been beaming with joy and excitement as they look ahead to their first World Cup, with Kylian Mbappe another who will be watched with great anticipation in Russia.

The remainder of the 23-man squad given the honour to fly the French flag in Russia definitely looked the part as they got their measurements done for their suits, which are designed by Francesco Smalto.
Pictures emerged on the official France Football Federation Twitter page, with one post reading: 'The official photo of the @equipedefrance for the 2018 World Cup! #FiersdetreBleus'.
'Squad goals,' Manchester City defender Mendy wrote on Instagram.
Paul Pogba, Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, three players who Didier Deschamps will be heavily reliant on in Russia, led by example as they enjoyed the photography session, taking their place on the front row in the formal team photo.
Head coach Deschamps appeared his usual relaxed self as he posed for pictures with his backroom staff. However, his World Cup preparations have been far from comfortable, being forced to leave out a number of high-profile stars. Therefore those in attendance were permitted a moment to bare a smile after a tough selection process.
And while the French players looked the part on Wednesday, they have been replicating that same image on the pitch with their recent 2-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland on Monday night testament to that.
Olivier Giroud, who was as cool a customer on the pitch as he was at the official photo shoot, scoring the opener at the Stade de France before Nabil Fekir added the second on the stroke of half-time.
Looking the part is all well and good, but Deschamps will be urging his players to continue their strong form heading into the tournament in Russia in just over two weeks' time.
The French will not have forgotten their unfortunate exit on home soil at the Euros two years ago and will be keen to avenge their defeat in the final by Portugal.
Given the wealth of talent Deschamps takes to Russia with him, they will enter the tournament as one of the favourites for glory. Not just that, they will arrive one of the best-dressed outfits, too.

The squad posed for pictures:
(L-R) Back row: Thomas Lemar, Benjamin Pavard, Adil Rami, Alphonse Aerola, Blaise Matuidi, Hugo Lloris, Gregory Dupont, Raphael Varane, Olivier Giroud, Stephen N'Zonzi, Ousmane Dembele, Florian Thauvin. Middle row: Nabil Fekir, Corentin Tolisso, N'Golo Kante (hidden), Samuel Umtiti, Guy Stephan, Didier Deschamps (hidden), Franck Raviot, Djibril Sidibe, Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe, Benjamin Mendy. Front row: Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Steve Mandanda