Les Blues received the worst news possible with the newly crowned 2022 Ballon d' Or winner, Karim Benzema, being ruled out injured for the entire World Cup.\The 34-year-old has been struggling with a thigh niggle since arriving in Qatar and scans revealed that he will play no part in the tournament.

The two-time champions are also without the services of Paul Pogba, Christopher Nkunku, N'Golo Kante and Presnel Kimpembe for the World Cup.

The French coach, Didier Dechamps, said while Benzema’s injury is major blow for the team, he will not be calling for a replacement player.

“Because I decided, simply,” said the coach who captained France to their first-ever World Cup title in 1998.

“It's never fun, it doesn't make you smile. We had already lost Christopher and everyone was very sad. This is Karim. But we have a goal and the group knows very well what awaits us with a game on Tuesday.

“Everything was under control, he was going one step further as was the case with Raphael Varane.

“In training, getting injured can unfortunately happen. It's never the right time. I am extremely sad for Karim Benzema who made this World Cup a major goal.

“Despite this new blow for the French team, I have full confidence in my group. We will do everything to meet the huge challenge that awaits us.”

France will face Australia at 21:00 on Thursday night in their opening game.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport