Australia vs. France World Cup time, live stream, TV channel, lineups, odds for FIFA Qatar 2022 match

France will begin the bid to retain their title against Australia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, but their preparations have been hit by a string of injury issues.

Les Bleus are dealing with a host of key absences, including the last-minute withdrawal of Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema.

They have also struggled in recent UEFA Nations League matches — but they still boast a supremely talented squad on paper.

Star forward Kylian Mbappe is already one of the very best attackers in the world at just 23. He won Best Young Player at the 2018 World Cup, helping surge France to victory as a teenager.

Here's how you can watch all the action as France and the Socceroos get their campaign up and running in the major global territories.

MORE: France vs. Australia prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets for World Cup 2022

Australia vs. France live stream, TV channel

MORE: Watch every World Cup match live with fuboTV (U.S.-only free trial)

Australia vs. France lineups

France are heavily depleted. Starting midfielders N'Golo Kante and Paul Pogba are both missing from the tournament, having struggled with long-term injuries since the summer.

Defender Presnel Kimpembe and attacker Christopher Nkunku were both sent home after being named in the squad and Benzema will play no part in the finals because of a thigh injury.

Goalkeeper Mike Maignan (calf) is not in the squad and defenders Raphael Varane and Jules Kounde have missed chunks of the season for Manchester United and Barcelona respectively.

France probable (3-4-1-2, right to left): 1. Lloris (GK) – 5. Kounde, 4. Varane, 21. L. Hernandez – 20. Coman, 8. Tchouameni, 25. Camavinga, 22. T. Hernandez – 7. Griezmann – 10. Mbappe, 11. Dembele        

For Australia, Graham Arnold's side also have many key players under injury clouds. Starting defensive pairing Kye Rowles and Harry Souttar, as well as attacker Ajdin Hrustic, have all missed large chunks of the season.

Martin Boyle had to be withdrawn from the squad due to his knee injury, with Marco Tilio replacing him. Either Craig Goodwin or Awer Mabil will be Boyle's direct replacement in the starting side.

In a bold move to curb the reigning champions, Arnold is considering moving to a back three to combat the France attack. This could see winger Goodwin deployed as a left wing-back, and Milos Degenek, Bailey Wright or Thomas Deng drafted in a defensive three.

Australia probable (3-5-2, right to left): 1. Ryan (GK) – 2. Degenek, 19. Souttar, 4. Rowles – 3. Atkinson, 13. Mooy, 22. Irvine, 10. Hrustic, Goodwin – 23. Maclaren, 15. Duke      

Australia vs. France odds

The odds heavily lean towards the defending champions — and for good reason, as their squad boasts such stars as Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and many other top European names.

The biggest question seems to be whether Australia can find the back of the net against a France side that has been breached in six of their last eight matches.

Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and Ladbrokes (Australia).