World Cup digest: Nkunku ruled out for France
France have been dealt another injury blow after Christopher Nkunku was ruled out of the World Cup in Qatar.
Didier Deschamps Sport News
Nkunku out of World Cup with Knee injury
Christopher Nkunku has been ruled out of the World Cup after the France striker suffered a knee injury in training on Tuesday.
France captain Hugo Lloris urges respect for Qatar laws during World Cup
France captain Hugo Lloris has urged respect for host nation Qatar ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Les Bleus' recent press conference in Claire Fontaine.
France's Deschamps says he has replacements ready for Kimpembe
France will be without injured defender Presnel Kimpembe at the World Cup but manager Didier Deschamps has Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano as the two options to fill the role on as a left-sided centre back in their opening game against Australia.
Varane and Giroud named in France squad for World Cup
PARIS: France coach Didier Deschamps included Raphael Varane in his World Cup squad on Wednesday despite the defender’s recent injury problems, while in-form striker Olivier Giroud was also called up. Deschamps selected 25 of a possible 26 players for the tournament in Qatar, where France will attempt to become the first team to defend their World Cup title since Brazil in 1962. Eleven members of the 2018 title-winning squad return, including captain Hugo Lloris and reserve goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, along with Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann. Karim Benzema, who has missed a series of games for Real Madrid this season because of injury, is set for his first World Cup appearance since 2014. Paris Saint-Germain center-back Presnel Kimpembe was picked despite thigh and Achilles problems that have limited him to five appearances since the start of September.
Manchester United’s Raphael Varane named in France World Cup squad
Defending champions France have named Raphael Varane in their World Cup squad despite the Manchester United defender’s injury troubles.
Giroud named in provisional France World Cup squad
PARIS :Olivier Giroud was named in France's provisional squad for the Qatar World Cup as coach Didier Deschamps unveiled a 25-man group on Wednesday amid injury concerns for the defending champions.
Ancelotti defends Benzema for not playing ahead of World Cup
MADRID: Carlo Ancelotti defended Karim Benzema from accusations he is not playing with Real Madrid to be ready for the World Cup, saying Wednesday the France striker himself is upset about his lack of minutes going into Qatar. The 34-year-old Benzema, who has been dealing with muscle fatigue, will miss his sixth straight start when Madrid host Cádiz in the Spanish league on Thursday. It will be the club’s last match before the World Cup break.