The defending world champions Les Bleus hope to put a hugely disappointing European Championship campaign firmly behind them by winning more money in Italy, with the pre-tournament favorites shocking Switzerland on penalties in the eighth final.

Didier Deschamps’ side have also not been at their best since then, having endured a frustrating pair of World Cup qualifiers against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ukraine, having first lagged behind in both matches before having to retaliate. Antoine Griezmann’s brace saw them get back on track against Finland last month.

Still the number one team in the world, Belgium reached the delayed Euro quarter-finals, but succumbed to future Italian winners in Munich.

Roberto Martinez’s so-called golden generation will be all too aware that their chances of living up to that moniker by winning a trophy are quickly running out.

Belgium were among the goals in the World Cup qualifiers, scoring eight goals in two games against Estonia and the Czech Republic before Dennis Praet’s goal saw them beat Belarus last time around.

These two nations respectively finished first in Groups A2 and A3 of the Nations League to advance to these finals, with Italy or Spain waiting for Sunday night’s showpiece in Milan.

For the loser, a play-off for third place is on Saturday in Turin.

Belgium v ​​France is scheduled to kick off at 7.45 p.m. BST on Thursday, October 7, 2021.

The match will take place at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, home of Juventus.

TV channel: Thursday’s contest will be televised live on Sky Sports Football, with coverage starting at 7:30 p.m.

Direct: Sky Sports subscribers will also be able to watch the match live online through the Sky Go app.

Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg), Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge)

Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (al-Duhail), Dedryck Boyata (Hertha Berlin), Timothy Castagne (Leicester), Jason Denayer (Lyon), Thomas Meunier (Dortmund), Jan Vertonghen (Benfica)

Midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne (Man. City), Leander Dendoncker (Wolves), Thorgan Hazard (Dortmund), Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan), Youri Tielemans (Leicester), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Dortmund)

Forwards: Michy Batshuayi (Beşiktaş), Yannick Carrasco (Atlético Madrid), Charles De Ketelaere (Club Brugge), Eden Hazard (Real Madrid), Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea), Dodi Lukebakio (Wolfsburg), Leandro Trossard (Brighton ))

Goalkeepers: Benoît Costil (Bordeaux), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Mike Maignan (AC Milan)

Defenders: Lucas Digne (Everton), Léo Dubois (Lyon), Lucas Hernández (Bayern), Theo Hernández (AC Milan), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris), Jules Koundé (Seville), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern) , Raphaël Varane (Man. United)

Midfielder: Matteo Guendouzi (Marseille), Paul Pogba (Man. United), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Monaco), Jordan Veretout (Roma)

Forwards: Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Moussa Diaby (Leverkusen), Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid), Anthony Martial (Man. United), Kylian Mbappé (Paris)