FIFA World Cup 2022
Defending champions France will be without goalscorer Karim Benzema at the World Cup in Qatar. The 34-year-old Real Madrid striker is out with an injury to his left thigh, the French Football Federation (FFF) said on Saturday night following investigations.
Benzema had previously felt a sharp pain during training in Doha and had to abandon the session. According to FFF information, the reigning world footballer injured his quadriceps and now has to pause for at least three weeks.
“I’m extremely sad for Karim, who made this World Cup a big goal,” team boss Didier Deschamps said in a statement from the association. “Despite this renewed setback for the French team, I have full confidence in my team. We will do everything to meet the immense challenge that awaits us,” added Deschamps.
Benzema had already missed the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Four years ago he was not called up because of his involvement in an extortion scandal and has now received a fine and suspended sentence. The French start the tournament in Qatar on Tuesday once morest Australia. Other preliminary round opponents for the French are Denmark on November 26th and Tunisia on November 30th.
