FIFA World Cup: Karim Benzema out of the French team - implications for France

The French federation confirmed the news after the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner reported sharp pain in his thigh during a sprint in the last few minutes of the practice session.

The MRI reports talk about a muscle tear that would at least keep him off for three weeks. The upcoming edition, set to commence on Sunday, will be the first since 1978 to have ruled out a reigning Ballon d'Or winner.

France will begin their defensive bid in their encounter against Australia on Tuesday. FIFA has allotted them 24 hours before their first match to name a replacement for the star.  

"I've never given up in my life but tonight I have to think of the team, as I have always done," Benzema shared through Instagram. "So reason tells me to give my place to someone who can help our squad have a great World Cup."

How will Karim Benzema's absence affect France's chances of winning the World Cup 2022?

France had a tough start to their preparations due to injury blows to RB Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku and Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Presnel Kimpembe.

Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani and Monaco's Axel Disasi were listed as replacements. "I am extremely sad for Karim, who had made this World Cup a major objective," stated coach Didier Deschamps. 

"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's frontline now has other options, including Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Marcus Thuram, Olivier Giroud, and Ousmane Dembele. 

Benzema was the highest scorer for France at the 2014 World Cup but was exempted from participating in the 2018 World Cup campaign. He was facing the repercussions for his alleged participation in a sex-tape scandal with then-France teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

Deschamps listed him in Euro 2020, where he netted four goals and emerged as France's top scorer. The 34-year-old finished as the top scorer in LaLiga (27 goals) and the Champions League (15 goals), leading Real Madrid to two significant victories.

So his absence, despite what the coach believes, has significantly robbed the team of power. In addition, Deschamps had to deal with the absence of long-term injury absentees Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante, who were crucial to France when they won the World Cup in Russia. 

Forward Christopher Nkunku's recent injury, also sustained during a training session, only adds to their misery. He has been replaced in the squad by Randal Kolo Muani.

Besides looking for a replacement for Benzema, Deschamps is also waiting to decide if his central defender, Raphael Varane, is fit to play against Australia on Tuesday.

It has been a month since he walked away from a Manchester United match with a hamstring injury. Central defender Presnel Kimpembe withdrew on Monday after he was deemed unfit following a hamstring injury.

With good players being written off the squad, France is at risk of being eliminated early from the World Cup. The decrease in squad depth is a problem that will consistently attack them throughout their campaign.

Monaco striker Wissam Ben Yedder is rumoured to be a possible replacement for Benzema.