( CNN ) -- Christian Karembeu knows what it takes to win the World Cup -- and the former France midfielder is tipping today 's generation to shine brightly in Brazil 's football showpiece this year . Part of the French team which won the trophy on home soil in 1998 , Karembeu is confident the current crop can spring a surprise when the tournament starts in June . Forget that France had to qualify through the playoffs and endured a disastrous tournament in South Africa in 2010 , Karembeu is adamant Les Bleus can succeed this time around . `` I believe in our chance . I think Didier Deschamps is building a new team , '' he told CNN , referring to the France coach , who captained that 1998 World Cup-winning team . `` I know when he starts something he always tries to reach his dream , his goal -- and I know his goal is to win . '' Four years ago , French football was riddled by infighting , unrest and a national manager with a penchant for astrology . The nadir in South Africa , where France failed to qualify from the group stage and the squad tore itself apart over a dispute between coach Raymond Domenech and striker Nicolas Anelka , left scars which took some time to heal . Anelka 's tirade at Domenech resulted in his expulsion from the squad while his fellow teammates boycotted training to register their disgust . Captain Patrice Evra was involved in an altercation with fitness coach Robert Duverne and the players sulked on the team coach as the watching world gazed on in astonishment . Evra was dropped for the final group game and subsequently suspended after the tournament along with Franck Ribery and Jeremy Toulalan , while Anelka subsequently retired from international level after receiving an 18-match ban . Fast-forward to today and things are looking far more optimistic for Deschamps ' side , albeit after a tricky qualification campaign which included a dramatic second-leg playoff victory over Ukraine in November to seal a place in Brazil . Trailing 2-0 from the first leg , France emerged with a 3-0 win in Paris -- and was even more impressive in a 2-0 friendly win over Netherlands in Paris this month . France is 22/1 to win the World Cup but will be confident of progressing from a group which includes Switzerland , Ecuador and Honduras . `` Brazil knows that we can challenge and be an outsider , '' Karembeu added . `` I know many countries are afraid of us and because of what we 've demonstrated in the two games against Ukraine and Holland . `` We are a team which can play , score and of course step up to claim victory . '' While France has several talented players including Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema , it is not expected to challenge the likes of Brazil , Argentina , Spain or Germany . It is 16 years since Karembeu was part of the team which won the competition on home soil by defeating Brazil 3-0 in the final at the Stade de France . That side , which included the likes of Zinedine Zidane , Marcel Desailly and Youri Djorkaeff , was viewed as representing a new France -- a microcosm of the kaleidoscope of color which had become interwoven with the country 's society . This was a team which brought players together from all different backgrounds , whether it be Lilian Thuram , who was born in Guadaloupe , Karembeu from New Caledonia , or Desailly -- who hails from Ghana . Under the guidance of coach Aime Jacquet , that generation of French players was lauded as an example of how successful multiculturalism could be . Even now , Karembeu gets emotional when he speaks of the success he enjoyed with that group of players . `` I was in Paris yesterday and still there are still too many emotions going around , '' he said Thursday at CNN 's London bureau , as part of his role in FIFA 's World Cup Trophy Tour . `` For us it was like a big revolution . We made France recognize its own communities , its differences , and the mix of cultures . `` We won a big fight because it made us as one . I think when you win a big trophy or big event like that , you do n't think about sport . `` We think about social matters , integration , education and happiness when you are celebrating . ''
Christian also tips France to send a team at World Cup . Karembeu was part of French team which won the title in 1998 . Former midfielder says that national team will unify France . He won the European Champions Cup ttwice with Real Madrid .