More questions than answers for troubled holders France

PARIS: France head into the World Cup with more questions than answers after their build-up to the tournament was marred by injuries, poor results and off-field distractions.

The defending champions have had a dismal Nations League campaign, just salvaging their place in the top tier at the end of an injury-ravaged month in September.

Key midfielders N'Golo Kante and Paul Pogba, who played pivotal roles in France's victorious campaign in 2018, have been ruled out due to injuries.

Kylian Mbappe is in the midst of a media storm over reports he wanted to leave Paris St Germain less than four months after extending his contract with the French champions. The striker has now said he is happy at PSG and never asked to leave in January.

The French Football Federation has also been subjected to an audit commissioned by the Sports Ministry over working conditions amid claims of sexual harassment and bullying. The federation has denied the allegations.

Should the inspectors find evidence of a crime, they are legally bound to report it to a judge, which would likely trigger a police investigation.

On the pitch, France has been struggling to rediscover the spark that guided them to a perfectly mastered Nations League triumph last season, helping Les Bleus put the disappointment of a last-16 exit at the European Championship behind them.

Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema and Mbappe might have the potential to form the most formidable attacking lineup in the game but their partnership has been taking time to gel.

While Benzema was out injured in France's last two Nations League games, veteran Olivier Giroud earned a recall from Deschamps and made the most of it, earning Mbappe's praise.

"We managed to combine, to speak the same football, it was