Rarely can a team have arrived at a World Cup with more baggage than France, whose qualification for the showpiece tournament was overshadowed by an outrageous handball at the expense of Ireland.

The flick of a hand in a playoff last November by none other than widely-admired France captain Thierry Henry led to the goal that broke Irish hearts and sent the French to South Africa for the June 11-July 11 finals.

Henry was forced to make a public apology, FIFA president Sepp Blatter apologised, and there was even talk at one stage of the match being replayed.

It wasn't, to the dismay of Ireland.

If that wasn't enough, the French team was then rocked by a sex scandal linking members of the team, including star player Franck Ribery, to an under-age call-girl.

Ribery and an entire nation of football fans now face an anxious wait to find out whether the judge leading the inquiry will bring charges against arguably the most gifted player in coach Raymond Domenech's squad.

If charged and found guilty Ribery, who is married and has two daughters, could face a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a 45,000 euro ($A69,500) fine.

Added to that is the standing of Domenech, appointed in 2004 but widely disliked in France and who will be replaced by former skipper Laurent Blanc after the World Cup is over.

He only held on to his job by the skin of his teeth after France's disappointing Euro 2008 campaign and was not a popular figure as his team struggled through qualification for what will be their 13th World Cup.

But despite the damaging headlines, France will nonetheless arrive in South Africa among the traditional favourites to be crowned world champions after their exploits in winning the 1998 World Cup on home soil and then making the final in Germany in 2006.

The 2000 European champions also managed third-place finishes in 1958 and 1986, as well as fourth spot in 1982 to confirm their ability to produce the goods on the big stage.

France have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay.

They open their campaign against Uruguay in Cape Town on June 11, before playing Mexico six days later in Polokwane and wrapping up their pool matches against South Africa in Bloemfontein on June 22.

"The first thing that's clear when you look at the make-up of the eight groups - and ours in particular - is that it's not going to be easy for anyone," said Domenech.

"We are truly delighted and honoured to be playing against an African team at the first World Cup to be held in the continent, but even more so against the host nation."

Domenech will have to do without Zinedine Zidane, Fabien Barthez, Claude Makelele and Lilian Thuram, who all called time on their international careers in 2006.

With Patrick Vieira having failed to make the provisional 30-man squad, sole France 1998 survivor Henry has taken the captain's armband, with William Gallas the leader at the back and Jeremy Toulalan and Lassana Diarra shoring up midfield.

The emergence of Yoann Gourcuff, the talent of Ribery and the rejuvenation of Nicolas Anelka have given the coach a variety of options in attack, where Andre-Pierre Gignac and Florent Malouda will also be hoping to feature.

Striker Djibril Cisse received his first call-up since being cut from France's squad prior to the 2008 European Championship, after netting 29 goals this season for Greek champions Panathinaikos.

There were also first call-ups for 25-year-old Marseille winger Mathieu Valbuena and 28-year-old Bordeaux centre-back Marc Planus.

"There is a team and there are those who will come alongside," said Domenech. "They have to bring something: a bit of freshness, a bit of calmness, a bit of aggressiveness. Each in their own way can bring a little extra.

"It is a sign for them that they are on the right path."

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