FIFA World Cup holders France are amidst a growing injury crisis which could derail any potential defence of their throne.
Attackers Karim Benzema and Christopher Nkunku both picked up injuries last week during training, rubbing salt into the fresh wounds of the reigning world champions.
In what now seems an insurmountable task of successfully defending their crown, France get their World Cup campaign underway as they meet Australia in Group D. This is the second successive WC finals in which the French share their group with both the Socceroos and Denmark.
Les Bleus have been plagued with a major injury crisis this year, with several key players ruled out with long-term lay-offs. In the last international break prior to the World Cup, head coach Didier Deschamps was essentially one player short of a full XI consisting exclusively of French internationals in the physio room at the time.
France’s injuries heading into the World Cup 💔🤕 pic.twitter.com/KyXAQpsUqU
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 19, 2022
Hugo Lloris, Ibrahima Konaté, Lucas Hernández, Theo Hernández, Presnel Kimpembe, N’Golo Kanté, Paul Pogba, Adrien Rabiot, Kingsley Coman, and Benzema were all unavailable for their country’s UEFA Nations League matches with Austria and Denmark in late September.
Six of those players returned in time to be selected for the World Cup, while pre-existing injuries to Kanté and Pogba meant they were out of the running for Qatar 2022. Kimpembe was included in the original 25-man squad but the Paris St-Germain defender failed to regain full fitness before the start of the showpiece in Qatar.
The day after Kimpembe had been dropped from the squad, Nkunku suffered a torn knee ligament in a training session and the in-form striker appears set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Most recently, Benzema pulled out of the France camp due to a thigh problem. The 34-year-old came agonisingly close to appearing at the World Cup finals for the first time since 2014 and, for the first time since 1978, the Ballon d’Or holder is not present at the tournament.
OFFICIAL: Karim Benzema will miss the 2022 World Cup for France due to injury.
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 19, 2022
He will be the first reigning Ballon d’Or winner since 1978 to miss football’s biggest tournament. 😥 pic.twitter.com/vyDTtZfwDr
Although they are without numerous key players, France are by no means shy on quality and they will be looking to the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud, Ousmane Dembélé, and Antoine Griezmann to be decisive in front of goal.
Aurelien Tchouameni, 22, is expected to occupy the base of the French midfield in what would be a World Cup debut for the Real Madrid man. Teammate Eduardo Camavinga could also feature while, at the back, there are as many as five top-class central defenders fighting it out for two (or three) places in the XI.
Konaté, Jules Koundé, William Saliba, and Dayot Upamecano are all poised should they be called upon, meanwhile World Cup winner Raphael Varane comes into the tournament off the back of a fresh injury setback with Manchester United. Les Bleus skipper Hugo Lloris is expected to retain his place in goal.
France versus Australia kicks off at 22H00 local time (20H00 CET) at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah.
France are 1.25 to win their World Cup opener, Australia are 15.00 to beat the world champions; 5.50 for a draw. Kylian Mbappé is 3.50 to score the first goal, while Olivier Giroud is 2.10 to get on the scoresheet anytime during the match. (Bet365)
