France midfielder Yoann Gourcuff accepts his side have work to do before their World Cup opener against Uruguay on June 11, but insists they are ready for the tournament.

The France squad arrived at their training base after an underwhelming series of warm-up matches that saw them beat Costa Rica 2-1, draw 1-1 with Tunisia and lose 1-0 to China on Friday.

The unconvincing nature of France's performances have dampened expectations that they can succeed in South Africa and Gourcuff says it is down to the players to make their new 4-3-3 system work on the pitch.

"We're ready, we're very motivated," he said on Sunday.

"We'll have to work, we'll have to make adjustments and watch the video (analysis) to create understanding (between the players) and make adjustments between us in attacking and defensive areas."

An injury to defensive midfielder Lassana Diarra prompted coach Raymond Domenech to ditch his tried and tested 4-2-3-1 in favour of the new formation, but France have struggled to create chances and Nicolas Anelka has at times looked uncomfortable in the lone striking role.

Bordeaux star Gourcuff says he and his fellow creative midfielders Florent Malouda and Franck Ribery need to shoulder more of the attacking burden.

"We were a bit too slow in the transitions (against China)," said Gourcuff.

"And on crosses, we need a bit more presence in front of goal to help Nico (Anelka), who's often at the near post. It would be good if there were three or four of us in the penalty area on crosses."

China's winning goal came in the form of a wicked free-kick from Deng Zhuoxiang that demonstrated how the much-criticised Jabulani World Cup ball can be made to swerve and dip in the air.

The strike left France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris grasping at thin air and Gourcuff revealed that he, too, has been encouraged to shoot from distance.

"The coaches tell me that you have to shoot at goal," said Gourcuff.

"When the (opposition) defence is very deep, shooting can open up space for the central forward. With the new ball there can be changes in the trajectory. That could be a weapon."

Oscar Tabarez's Uruguay are the first obstacle that France must overcome.

The sides kick off their Group A campaigns in Cape Town next Friday and Gourcuff is expecting a physical encounter.

"We played them a year and a half ago at the Stade de France (in a 0-0 draw)," he said.

"They're an aggressive team, hard in the tackle and durable. They play with lots of intensity and have two forwards (Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez) who have talent and good movement."

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