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Nearly two years ago, France had the chance to collect their first major trophy since winning Euro 2000, but fell at the last hurdle, humbled by a resilient Portugal team in their own backyard.
However, the complexion of this French team has changed since their dreams were dashed in extra time by Eder's driven shot, and this could be their time to realise their potential.
Veterans like Patrice Evra, Bacary Sagna, Andre-Pierré Gignac and Yohann Cabaye have departed this squad, and it could be to France's benefit - this is one of the most well-rounded French squads in recent memory.
Here we have a look at why France could be serious contenders for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia:
Experienced Goalkeeper
There is no doubting the fact that France currently boast one of the best squads in international football, with almost every starting position supplying ample competition.
Hugo Lloris, the team captain, is widely considered one of the most talented goalkeepers in the Premier League and has been consistently excellent, if not exceptional, for a number of years. The Spurs stopper has an impressive record of 73 clean sheets in 203 appearances for the North Londoners, 14 coming this season.
At 31 years of age, this may well be Lloris' last World Cup, but with Alphonse Areola patiently waiting in the wings, and at only 25 years old, the French goalkeeping situation is in good hands for the foreseeable future.
Capable Defence
In front of Tottenham's number one, Deschamps may choose between Kimpembe, Varane, Koscielny and Umtiti. Samuel Umtiti, still only 24, is showing how good he is at Barcelona, and will collect a league winners medal for his troubles, as will Kimpembe at PSG - Thiago Silva's injury problems have given the young defender valuable game time - as he has featured 37 times this season.
Varane has forged a solid partnership with Sergio Ramos at the heart of the Real Madrid defence, and does not look set to relinquish it any time soon. He is also showing how much an extended run in the Madrid starting XI has improved his status as a ball playing centre-half, with a 90% pass completion rate this season.
Arsenal's vice-captain Koscielny won't be picking up any medals this year with Arsenal (unless they pull off a miracle at Atletico), but even at 32 years old, he has a lot to offer. Another elder statesman, Adil Rami, is having a resurgence in the twilight of his career with Marseille. The former Sevilla defender has been playing a crucial role in Marseille's Europa League run, turning out 12 times and scoring 1 goal, and they still have hopes of making the final.
Two of those five central defenders will most likely be flanked by Layvin Kurzawa and Djibril Sidibé, starting fullbacks for PSG and Monaco respectively. Kurzawa is showing all the qualities of a modern full-back by adding goals to his game this year - 5 in all competitions and 3 of those coming in the Champions League.
Sidibé picked up a knock in PSG's annihilation of Monaco this month, and while he might not be fully fit for the summer, he started every qualifying game for Deschamps' side. The full-back position possibly has the shallowest group of players to choose from. Benjamin Mendy and Lucas Digne are more than capable deputies, but both are lacking game time this season, with 4 and 11 league appearances respectively. That being said, barring injury, the back five make up a solid unit.
Dynamic Midfield
With France opting to play a 4-3-3 formation, the midfield trio is hugely important in controlling the tempo of the game, protecting the defence and supplying the attackers. N'Golo Kanté will almost certainly sit in front of the defence, breaking up play before it gets to the final third. Even with a dip in form this year, there are still few who rival him in that position.
With an 89.7% pass completion rate, you know exactly what you are getting with Kanté, and that breeds calmness and composure in any side. In front of him, the mercurial talent of Paul Pogba will take on a much less restricted role, as he roams around the midfield and the space behind the lone striker. Pogba may not completely be living up to his price tag, but he showed in the Manchester derby last month that he is capable of turning a game on its head, inspiring a United comeback with two goals in that 3-2 win.
That leaves one space left in the centre for either Matuidi, Tolisso or Rabiot. Not a bad trio to call on by any means, especially when we consider that all three are going to pick up a league winners' medals at Juventus, Bayern Munich and PSG respectively.
If France decide that a more defensive approach is needed, Steven N'Zonzi is having a wonderful year at Sevilla, and would add more cover should France find themselves in the position of holding on to a lead. On the other hand, if an attack-minded ethos is what Deschamps desires, Nabil Fekir can play behind the striker as well on the wing of a front three.
The Lyon man has a penchant for scoring decisive and spectacular goals, and has had an extremely impressive campaign already, with 17 goals and 7 assists. Dimitri Payet, who, at 31, may be playing his last international tournament, is in the same mould as Fekir, and has dug France out of a few holes before. He may have the opportunity to do it again.
Potent wingers
Deschamps' most difficult decision may come when deciding who will operate wide of the main striker. The French manager will have to choose from Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Anthony Martial, Thomas Lemar and Florian Thauvin - even Kingsley Coman will be hoping to shake an ankle injury before June.
Mbappé, coming off an incredible domestic season for PSG, should have a starting berth nailed down; his pace, eye for goal, and ability to bamboozle defenders will be invaluable. This season, Mbappé has helped himself to 13 goals and 8 assists as the Parisians completely dominated proceedings in France. Assuming his form continues, and at 19 years old, Mbappé may be assured of starting for France for a major part of the next decade.
On a slightly critical level, Dembélé, Martial and Lemar have not hand the stand-out year that all three had in the 2016/17 season, but it goes without saying that all three can be incredibly dangerous wingers against any defence.
Dembélé is still settling into life in Barcelona, managing just one goal in the conservative amount of time he has been allowed on the pitch, while Lemar may still be ruing the collapse of previous potential Premier League transfers.
Anthony Martial, although out of favour in terms of a starting spot at United, is still capable of match-winning quality, as his 9 Premier League goals will attest to. By form alone, Thauvin stands above the rest – he is currently enjoying his best year after returning to Ligue 1 from Newcastle, scoring 20 goals in 32 league appearances.
Abundance of top-quality strikers
France's chances of competing for silverware may rely mostly on the potency of their attacking trio up front, but it is in this area of the pitch where they can excel, and even blow teams out of the water.
Antoine Griezmann has the ability to tear any defence to shreds, and will start in the central striking role for Les Bleus. 19 goals and 8 assists in an Atletico team below their best this year is more than a decent return.
He is tasked with keeping Oliver Giroud out of the starting line up. 6 of Giroud's 10 appearances since moving to Chelsea have come from the bench, and he will probably have to settle for that role in this French team. However, even coming off the bench, he is still a valuable asset, giving the side another dimension from corners and other set pieces.
Alexandre Lacazette is another player who will be hoping to push for a place in the team, and while there is no doubting his obvious ability, the Arsenal striker has not been at his prolific best this season, scoring just 13 times. Wissam Ben Yedder should count himself unlucky if he fails to make the plane to Russia, as he has had a standout season with Sevilla, most notably in the Champions League, as he came off the bench to dismantle Manchester United in the second leg of their round of 16 tie.
Youthful Experience
The average age of this French squad is 25.7, with plenty of players under that threshold. However, we must not confuse youth with inexperience. Not only do the majority of the squad have the experience of genuinely competing for titles, many have actually won them.
The entire squad is riddled with league winners like Kanté, Pogba, Matuidi and Umtiti, among a host of others – Raphael Varane having gone one step further with three Champions League winners' medals to his name. Whatever way you look at it, whether it be big game experience, fundamental quality, winning mentality or cohesion as a unit, France have all the tools at their disposal to mount a serious challenge for the most coveted trophy in world football; it's up to them to take the next step.
