France v Israel  / Switzerland v Faroe Islands: No longer able to depend on Zinedine Zidane for inspiration, Raymond Domenech's France will test their wits against Israel in their opening World Cup qualifier in Paris today.

With their influential number 10 retired from the international scene, France have little choice but to quickly find a new strategy capable of securing a direct berth for the 2006 finals in Germany.

New coach Domenech has several ideas of his own and looks determined to put them into practice without delay. During a news conference yesterday, he hinted that the option of the unusual 3-5-2 line-up is very likely to start today's game.

"A strong midfield is crucial," he said. "And around this midfield, you must have satellites.

"If the players are unable to fit into a new system we are going to be in trouble," he said. "But if they are able to change and to adapt it will be further evidence of their intelligence.

"I'm confident they are capable of fitting in," Domenech added. "As I'm expecting everyone to show his motivation."

The first half of the friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Rennes last month was reassuring from this point of view. The French had the opportunity to wrap up the game before half-time but Thierry Henry missed a clear chance and squandered a penalty, allowing Bosnia to come back and snatch a 1-1 draw.

Israel look like the right kind of challenge for a French team having to deal with the retirement of several former World Cup-winning players like Zidane, Marcel Desailly, Lilian Thuram and Bixente Lizarazu. They are not a top-notch side like Italy or Spain but they are not a lowly one either.

"Israel are pretty good technically. They can hold the ball and they defend well. These are all things we don't like," Domenech said.

Asked about his feelings before his first match on the bench at the Stade de France, he said he was a bit nervous.

He called on the public to come in numbers to the stadium and to forget about the failure of the team at the European championship.

"It is now that we need some backing, not when everything is going fine."

Although Domenech has had little time to build a new squad since the retirement of those senior players, star striker Thierry Henry is confident that France will start succeeding again.

"A new generation is coming and a new squad is to build up," Henry said. "We need a string of victories because it's easier to work when you win.

"I don't know what the story was back in 1996 because I wasn't there but it took them some time to set up a competitive side."

When Aime Jacquet took over from the sacked Gerard Houllier after France failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup, he set off on a French record run of 30 matches without defeat.

This helped the squad find the right balance and confidence they needed to prepare for the victorious 1998 World Cup campaign.

"We are now the old ones," said Henry. "We have to help the youngsters to find their place into the squad the way others did it for us in other times. It's our duty."

Like Jacquet, Domenech is a strong character, a man players listen to when he speaks and obey when he gives orders.

The other match in Group Four involves Switzerland, who play the Republic of Ireland in Basel on Wednesday, and the Faroe Islands.

The Swiss are definitely without strikers Danien Gygaz, who is injured, and the banned Alexander Frei. Coach Kobi Kuhn was, however, given a boost this week when Murat Yakin, Johann Vogel and Christoph Spycher were all cleared to play.

Probable team

France: Coupet; Gallas, Squillaci, Abidal; Mendy, Vieira, Pedretti, Rothen, Giuly; Henry, Cisse.

Referee: Rene HJ Temmink (Netherlands)